OCO Cancer Services Program addresses Disparities in Cervical Cancer

Dear Editor,

There are groups of people who are more affected by cervical cancer than others because they face more barriers to screening and access to care. For example, Black women in New York State are more likely than white women to be diagnosed with cervical cancer and also to die from the disease. Bisexual and lesbian women have significantly higher rates of cervical cancer compared with heterosexual women. And women in rural areas are less likely to be screened than women in urban areas, making them at higher risk for a cervical cancer diagnosis.

People with a cervix who are ages 21 and older should be screened every three years or as often as prescribed by their doctor. Cervical cancer screening tests can find the cells that lead to cancer so they can be removed. This stops cancer before it starts! Screening also helps to find cervical cancer early when it may be easier to treat.

If you don’t have insurance or a health care provider, call the CSP at 855-592-0830 We can help. For those with insurance, most health insurers cover screening at no cost.

Carolyn Handville

OCO Program Coordinator

CSP of North Country

[email protected]

855-592-0830

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