Black women are more likely to die from cervical cancer than White women
June 23, 2022
Cervical cancer develops in cells in the cervix, a lower part of the uterus which connects to the vagina. Over 90% of cervical cancer cases are caused by human papilloma virus (HPV), although how exactly human HPV causes cervical cancer is unknown since not every woman who is infected with HPV develops cervical cancer. Other sexually transmitted diseases such as chlamydia, gonorrhea and syphilis are also high-risk factors of cervical cancer development.
Cervical cancer is highly preventable thanks to regular screenings (Pep smear and HPV test) and HPV vaccines, and if it is diagnosed early, 5-year survival rate is at 92% (1). While the overall death rate from cervical cancer has decreased in the past several years, the mortality rate of Black women from cervical cancer is still 1.8 times higher than that of White women (2). Black women are more likely diagnosed with more advanced stages of cervical cancer compared to White women. In addition, the 5-year survival rate of Black women (56%) is significantly lower than that of White women (68%).
Unfortunately, Black people tend to have a lower socioeconomic status than White people in the US. Consequently, Black people are less likely to have health insurance, resulting in limited access to health care, and in addition, Black women particularly have been facing racial bias and mistreatment by medical professionals, leading to their reluctance to seek medical care including regular screenings. The structural racism and discrimination toward Black women as well as systemic poverty have led to persistent health care disparity in this group (3). Now, we see the devastating consequences in the form of high mortality rate in Black women from cervical cancer, which can be easily preventable if they are screened for cervical cancer regularly, or it is diagnosed early.
CDC recommends for women of 21-64 years of age to have pep smear and HPV test every three years. Pep smear is to look for precancerous cells which may develop into cancerous cells. HPV test is to see if you are infected with HPV or not. CDC’s National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program (NBCCEDP) can provide free or low-cost screenings for women who have no insurance. Please visit the website, www.cdc.gov/cancer/nbccedp/screenings.htm to find a provider near you.
There might be no symptoms in the early stages of cervical cancer, but if you have bleeding after sexual intercourse, unusual discharge from vagina, pain during sexual intercourse or pain in the pelvic area, you need to see a doctor as soon as possible. If you are more comfortable to see Black medical professionals, please visit blackdoctor.org.
If you are currently diagnosed with cervical cancer and need support, please visit cervivor.org. Cervivor was founded by a black woman, Tamika Felder who was diagnosed with cervical cancer at age 25. Immerman Angels (imermanangels.org) is also a great organization where you can find support from cancer survivors.
If you have questions about your cervical cancer diagnosis, treatment and clinical trial options, please contact Dr. Minji Jo at minji@mjpatientadvocate.com
Resource
(1) Cervical cancer, American Cancer Society: www.cancer.org/cancer/cervical-cancer.html
(2) Joint report by the Southern Rural Black Women's Initiative for Economic and Social Justice (SRBWI) and Human Rights Watch (HRW):http://www.hrw.org/.../ending-preventable-deaths-cervical...
(3) Chinn JJ, Martin IK, Redmond N. Health Equity Among Black Women in the United States. J Women’s Health (Larchmt).2021;30(2):212-219. doi:10.1089/jwh.2020.8868