Kentucky and Indiana Lead Nation in Advanced Cervical Cancer Fatalities

Louisville, KY — January is Cervical Health Awareness Month– as people across Kentuckiana prepare to start their new year, often with health in mind, Planned Parenthood wants to encourage extra attention around reproductive health and an uptick in advanced cervical cancer risk, how it is caused, and how it can be prevented. Cervical cancer can be prevented through HPV vaccines and caught early through routine screenings, yet rates of advanced cervical cancer persist in Indiana and Kentucky.

By the end of this year, an estimated 13,960 women in the US will be diagnosed with cervical cancer and 4,310 will die from it. Alarmingly, Kentucky had the highest incidence of cervical cancer of all US states from 2015 to 2019. Now, reports show the death rate from cervical cancer in Appalachian Kentucky is twice that of the national rate. Not far behind, Indiana ranks in the top ten states of highest rates of cervical cancer mortality.

Harvard Women’s Health Watch is calling recent diagnoses  “worrisome” after nearly a decade of watching  cervical cancer cases decline nationwide. Newer cases show older Southern women are especially vulnerable to advanced stages of the disease. Southern white women ages 40 to 44 saw an annual rise of 4.5% in advanced cases. Southern Black women ages 55 to 59 were diagnosed nearly twice as often as white women with early and advanced cases.

“Early HPV vaccination and screening should make cervical cancer a completely preventable disease. Yet, just last month, I detected a tumor on the cervix of a middle aged woman. I should never be visibly diagnosing cancer. The fact the cancer had advanced so far was shocking. The exam left both the patient and me shaken,” said Danielle Samuelson, Nurse Practitioner for Planned Parenthood in Indiana. 

Samuelson says the patient reached out to Planned Parenthood after she felt her symptoms weren’t being taken seriously by her primary care provider, who had treated her for an STI. “If you aren’t feeling heard by your provider, don’t be afraid to seek different care. I’m so glad this patient did.” said Samuelson. “Too often, patients wait until they feel pain or see noticeable changes in discharge before seeking care, while these are important to pay attention to, routine and periodic wellness exams are key to early detection and prevention.”

Cervical cancer takes years to develop, and can be prevented easily with regular screenings for early detection and with the HPV vaccine. The middle aged patient is amongst those at the highest risk for advanced cervical cancer, as part of one of the last age groups that missed out on HPV vaccination in their adolescent years. The first group of vaccinated adolescents, now in their 20s, have seen invasive cervical cancer rates drop by 3% each year from 1998 through 2012.

3 Ways to Help Ensure Cervical Health

• HPV Vaccine: The HPV vaccine is recommended for children ages 11-12, and is most effective before sexual activity begins. However, the vaccine is approved for ages 9-45, so even if you didn’t get vaccinated at a young age, you still can.
• Regular Screenings: People with cervixes should get wellness exams that include a HPV test, and/or Pap exam to check for any abnormal cells on the cervix that could be precancerous.  Cervical Cancer screening recommendations vary by age and history. Discuss your options with a provider about what works best for you. 
• Use Protection: Condoms and/or dental dams can be used during vaginal, anal, or oral sex to help lower the chances of spreading HPV.

Anyone who has a cervix is at risk for cervical cancer. To get your reproductive health in line for the new year, schedule your Wellness Visit to receive a Pap exam and or HPV test at your local Planned Parenthood, call 800-769-0045 or visit any of our Planned Parenthood health centers.