Cervical Cancer in Rural America

Cervical Cancer in Rural America

Stephen Day, CEO

Heartland Clinics of America, Inc.

www.heartlandclinicsusa.com

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The Problem

In rural areas, the incidence of cervical cancer among women is higher than in urban areas. Although this disease is largely preventable and has a high five-year survival rate, there are still a number of barriers to screening. For example, women in rural areas are more likely to be diagnosed in a later stage and they are more likely to die from cervical cancer than their urban or suburban counterparts. In rural areas, this is even more so for black women, who are 1.5 times more likely to develop cervical cancer and die from the disease than white women. In a study conducted in rural Georgia, researchers found glaring racial disparities among cervical cancer deaths. Moreover, the rates worsened with age.

There were fewer women in rural areas who received recommended preventive screening services. In addition, black and Hispanic women in rural areas were less likely to receive a mammogram. Moreover, women in rural areas were less likely to undergo cervical cancer screenings and surgery.

Screening

Rural women face unique challenges in accessing health care, including access to regular cervical cancer screening. Although the incidence of cervical cancer in rural areas is comparable to those in urban areas, rural residents have lower use of screening services. Furthermore, there are reports that rural residence is associated with higher rates of distant and regional-stage cancer. These findings suggest the need for increased screening among women living in rural areas.

Although there are many barriers to screening, the main factor that prevents women from getting screened is not knowing they need it. This lack of awareness is high across all sociodemographic groups, and there is a need for targeted interventions aimed at improving women's awareness of the importance of screening. The study found that a primary reason why women without insurance have a higher risk of cervical cancer, have less access to care, and experience late-stage diagnosis more often. These barriers also exist for Black and Hispanic women, who are more likely to have no health insurance. Moreover, the number of uninsured women is rising. By 2021, nearly one-third of Black and Hispanic women will be uninsured.

did not receive screening was a lack of a health care professional's recommendation, which is consistent with previous reports.

The odds of not receiving a cervical cancer screening are higher in women who identify as LGBQ+, are LGBQ, and are older than 35 years. Furthermore, women identifying as Asian or non-Hispanic black and living in rural areas had the highest odds of not having a Pap test.

Minority status

In the United States, the incidence of cervical cancer is higher among women of color living in rural counties. However, the association between rural location and cancer risk is complex and varies by race. Black and Hispanic women in rural counties had higher rates of localized, regional, and distant cervical cancer, but the association was less pronounced for white women. These findings support the need for screening programs in rural areas and among women of minority backgrounds.

In addition, women living in rural areas may not have access to health care services and are less likely to have regular screening for cervical cancer. This may contribute to differences in the incidence and outcomes of the disease. Among black women, for example, the mortality and survival rates are significantly lower than those of white women. This could be due in part to racial disparities in cervical cancer screening and access to quality health care. Early screening can detect cervical lesions at the early stages, and abnormal tests can also change the stage at which the disease is diagnosed.

Rural areas were significantly less likely to screen for cancer than their urban counterparts. While the overall cancer screening rate recovered after the recession, it remained far lower among women of color. The authors of the study suggest that the reasons for this decline in screening are largely rooted in social and economic factors. Rural areas are more likely to experience poverty and low access to health care.

Access to care

Rural women may face multiple barriers to accessing cervical cancer care, including longer distances to health care facilities and less time to see a doctor. Because of these challenges, women may be less likely to seek follow-up care and may be at higher risk for developing invasive cervical cancer. Heartland Clinics Mobile Services will reach the millions of women who are unable to travel to traditional healthcare facilities. ??Our practitioners are committed to providing follow-up telehealth calls to ensure our patients are provided continuity of care.?

Many of these women lack insurance or are unaware of their coverage. As a result, they need help understanding their benefits. Fortunately, Heartland Clinics will participate in the Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program and offer free cervical cancer screening for women who are uninsured. The program will be available in certain rural counties. ack of health training and other barriers to accessing care may also prevent women from getting timely cervical cancer screening.?Our goal is to partner with universities and healthcare companies such as United Healthcare, Aetna, and Blue Cross to provide educational services to promote health and wellness in rural areas.

The majority of women in rural areas lack comprehensive health insurance. In addition, rural women are more likely to be poor and rely on Medicaid or Medicare. Traveling to a health care facility is not an easy task if health insurance is not available. In rural areas, the distance to a medical facility is often more than two hours each way.

Heartland Clinics will go to small communities without physicians or hospitals.?By combining well-equipped mobile clinics with advanced telehealth services, the women in rural areas will receive great care.?Regardless of their ethnicity or economic status, our patients will receive the care that they require.

Barriers to Healthcare

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Women without insurance have a higher risk of cervical cancer, have less access to care, and experience late-stage diagnosis more often. These barriers also exist for Black and Hispanic women, who are more likely to have no health insurance. Moreover, the number of uninsured women is rising. By 2021, nearly one-third of Black and Hispanic women will be uninsured.

did not receive screening was a lack of a health care professional's recommendation, which is consistent with previous reports.

The odds of not receiving a cervical cancer screening are higher in women who identify as LGBQ+, are LGBQ, and are older than 35 years. Furthermore, women identifying as Asian or non-Hispanic black and living in rural areas had the highest odds of not having a Pap test.

Access to care

Rural women may face multiple barriers to accessing cervical cancer care, including longer distances to health care facilities and less time to see a doctor. Because of these challenges, women may be less likely to seek follow-up care and may be at higher risk for developing invasive cervical cancer. Heartland Clinics Mobile Services will reach the millions of women who are unable to travel to traditional healthcare facilities. ??Our practitioners are committed to providing follow-up telehealth calls to ensure our patients are provided continuity of care.?

Many of these women lack insurance or are unaware of their coverage. As a result, they need help understanding their benefits. Fortunately, Heartland Clinics will participate in the Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program and offer free cervical cancer screening for women who are uninsured. the program will be available in certain rural counties. ack of health training and other barriers to accessing care may also prevent women from getting timely cervical cancer screening.?Our goal is to partner with universities and healthcare companies such as United Healthcare, Aetna, and Blue Cross to provide educational services to promote health and wellness in rural areas.

The majority of women in rural areas lack comprehensive health insurance. In addition, rural women are more likely to be poor and rely on Medicaid or Medicare. Traveling to a health care facility is not an easy task if health insurance is not available. In rural areas, the distance to a medical facility is often more than two hours each way.

Solutions

Heartland Clinics will go to small communities without physicians or hospitals.?With partners like United Healthcare, major university medical schools and local and regional hospitals, we are able to offer great services for those who had given up on receiving healthcare in their own communities. By combining well-equipped mobile clinics with advanced telehealth services, the women in rural areas will receive great care.?If the patient has no insurance or cannot pay, we will use an accepted sliding scale to determine financial responsibility.?We will treat everyone, no matter their ability to pay. Regardless of their ethnicity or economic status, our patients will receive the care that they require and justly deserve. ?

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