Study: Cervical Cancer Deaths Rising Among Older Calif. Women

According to a new study carried out by researchers at the UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center, more California women aged 65 or older are facing diagnoses of late-stage cervical cancer and dying of the disease. Data from more than 12,000 patients who were diagnosed with the disease between 2009 and 2018 showed nearly one-fifth were at least 65 years old, while 71 percent of older women presented with late-stage disease compared with 48 percent of women under age 65. For those under age 65, late-stage five-year relative survival was measured at 41.5 percent to 51.5 percent. Despite the disparities documented, CDC guidelines recommend most women stop screening for cervical cancer at age 65, potentially leaving this age group vulnerable, researchers said. Read more here.