Barriers to eliminating cervical cancer can be overcome
HPV vaccination and regular screening starting early can improve outcomes, says expert
IN THE NEWS: In the United States, cervical cancer is most often diagnosed between ages 35 and 44, with the average age of at diagnosis at 50, according to the American Cancer Society.
Sora Park Tanjasiri spoke with Flowspace about the importance of regular screening starting early for improved outcomes in midlife.
She says that Food and Drug Administration approval of HPV self-collection kits for women ages 21 and older can eliminate major barriers related to discomfort, time and access.
“Prevention happens decades before disease, which can make the connection between early-life prevention and midlife outcomes less visible to the public.”
Tanjasiri says research is mixed regarding cancer screening uptake among women in their 40s and 50s, but trends suggest that while mammography rates increase with age, Pap testing declines in midlife compared to younger women.
“These tools are extraordinarily effective. But only if women remain engaged in care across the life course.”
Tanjasiri is the associate director of community outreach and education at the UCI Health Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center and a professor of health, society and behavior at UC Irvine School of Public Health, where her research interests include cancer health disparities, cancer prevention, breast and cervical early detection, and community-based participatory research.
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