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While the incidence of cervical cancer has decreased in the United
States as a whole, Hispanic women over 30 years of age are twice as likely to be diagnosed
with the disease compared to non-Hispanic women. In addition, the rate of cervical cancer
remains relatively high among non-Hispanic women over 50 years of age. This information
comes from a report by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) which
analyzed data for Hispanic and non-Hispanic women between 1992 to 1999. The researchers
say that increased use of Pap smears to
screen for cervical cancer can lead to fewer cases.
The American Cancer Society estimates that in 2002, approximately 13,000 new cases of
invasive cervical cancer will be diagnosed and approximately 4,100 women will die of the
disease. When detected early, the five-year survival rate for cervical cancer is
approximately 91%. If cervical cancer is detected before it has invaded any surrounding
tissues, the five-year survival rate is nearly 100%.
According to the CDC report, between 1992 and 1999, a total of 14,759 invasive cervical
cancer cases were diagnosed. Fifty-three percent of the cases were localized (i.e.,
confined to the cervical region), while 40% were in advanced stages (i.e., had spread
outside the cervix to other organs) and 7% were not staged. Of 14,524 invasive cervical
cancer cases among ethnically identified women, 3,166 (or 22%) were among Hispanic women,
and 11,358 (or 78%) were among non-Hispanic women.
During the study period, 16.9 per 100,000 Hispanic women were diagnosed with cervical
cancer and 8.9 per 100,000 non-Hispanic women were diagnosed with the disease. Overall,
there was a decline in the number of cervical cancer cases diagnosed in the United States
between 1992 through 1999 (a 4.4% decline in Hispanic women and 2.0% decline in
non-Hispanic women). Between 1973-1999, the number of cases and deaths from cervical
cancer decreased around 50% in the United States.
The report concludes that while the incidence of cervical cancer is declining, the
rates remain relatively high for Hispanic women more than 30 years of age as well as for
non-Hispanic women more than 50 years of age. Women 50 years of age and older were also
found to be more likely to be diagnosed with advanced cervical cancer.
The increased use of cervical cancer screening with the Pap smear can help detect
cervical tissue changes in early stages when the chances for a favorable outcome are high.
Data from the 1998 National Health Interview showed that 80% of non-Hispanic white women
had received Pap smears within the past three years, while 83% of non-Hispanic black women
and 74% of Hispanic women underwent screening. The researchers suggested that factors such
as older age, low education, low household income, and lack of health insurance may
prevent some older Hispanic women from receiving regular Pap smears.
The American Cancer Society recommends that all women begin receiving yearly Pap smears
and pelvic examinations at age 18 or when they become sexually active, whichever occurs
earlier. Some physicians will not perform a Pap smear each year if a woman has had three
negative (normal) Pap smears in the course of three years. However, a yearly pelvic exam
should be continued even if Pap smears are not given each year.
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