Cervical Cancer Incidence and Mortality
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While cervical cancer incidence and mortality rates have declined approximately 50 percent over the past three decades, the disease remains a serious health threat among women.
Recent trends show that incidence rates for Hispanic women are higher than those for non-Hispanic women.
Although the mortality rate for African American women has declined more rapidly than the rate for White women, the African American mortality rate continues to be more than double that of Whites.
Cervical cancer is preventable and curable if detected early. An important strategy to reduce the risk of cervical cancer is screening through the use of the Papanicolaou (Pap) test. In recent years, researchers have identifi ed human papillomavirus (HPV), which is transmitted through sexual contact, as the main cause of cervical cancer.
It is estimated that approximately $1.7 billion* is spent in the United States each year on treatment of cervical cancer.
Cervical cancer vaccine success
A vaccine to protect women from one of the biggest cancer killers could be available within five years.
Early clinical trials of a vaccine for cervical cancer have shown that it is 100% effective. It also protects against genital warts.
The breakthrough could help to save thousands of lives each year.
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