C E R VIC A L CANCER AND T H E L ATI NA COM M UNI TY WHAT IS CERVICAL CANCER? Cervical cancer occurs when the cells of the body in the cervix, which connects the vagina to the uterus, begin to grow out of control. Cervical cancer is easily prevented and treated with regular Pap tests. Women should begin getting regular Pap tests at age 21.
WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF CERVICAL CANCER? In its early stages, cervical cancer does not always cause symptoms. In more advanced stages, it can cause abnormal vaginal discharge or bleeding. The only certain way of knowing if you have cervical cancer is to see a physician.
WHO IS AT RISK FOR CERVICAL CANCER? While all women can get cervical cancer, women over 30 are more likely to get it and certain things increase the likelihood of getting it. These include: • Having Human Papillomavirus (HPV), which any woman who has ever had sex is at risk for
• Smoking
• Having HIV (the virus that causes AIDS) or any other condition that weakens the immune system
• Having given birth to at least three children
• Using birth control pills for at least five years
HOW CAN CERVICAL CANCER BE PREVENTED? • Get the HPV vaccine
• Don’t smoke
• Get a Pap test done regularly (as recommended by your physician)
• Use condoms during sex • Limit your number of sexual partners
• If your Pap test results are abnormal, follow up with your physician
WHERE CAN SOMEONE FIND FREE OR LOW-COST PAP TESTS? Women with low income or no insurance may be eligible for free or low-cost Pap tests through the National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program. For more information, call 1-800-CDC-INFO or visit www.cdc.gov/cancer/nbccedp.
CERVICAL CANCER AND THE LATINA COMMUNITY • Latinas have the highest rate of cervical cancer out of all racial and ethnic groups. • Of these same groups, Latinas have the second-highest death rate from cervical cancer. • Only 73.6% of Hispanic women have had a Pap test in the last three years. • Barriers to cervical cancer screening for Latinas include fear due to lack of immigration status, embarrassment, lack of knowledge, lack of insurance, and/or lack of English proficiency. REFERENCES
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U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Inside Knowledge Get the Facts About Gynecologic Cancer: Cervical Cancer. July 2012. U.S. Cancer Statistics Working Group. United States Cancer Statistics: 1999–2007 Incidence and Mortality Web-based Report. Atlanta (GA): Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and National Cancer Institute; 2010. National Latina Institute for Reproductive Health. Latinas and Cervical Cancer Fact Sheet. October 2007.