January is National Cervical Health Awareness Month

This month we highlight the variability in cervical cancer incidence and mortality across our region. The maps show county-level data from the New York State Cancer Registry (2011-2015) for cervical and uterine cancers.  Note that the highest incidence-rate counties are not always the highest mortality-rate counties, and vice versa.

One of the most important risk factors for cervical cancer is the human papillomavirus (HPV) infection, but this risk can be reduced by the HPV vaccine, particularly in women vaccinated between the ages of 15 and 26.

The vaccine’s effectiveness is also being assessed using local data. The Rochester Regional Health Organization (RHIO) has shared regional population-level data with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.  More details about that effort can be found here.

Learn more about how our region compares in the risk factors for cervical cancer, including smoking and obesity, as well as preventive factors (fruit and vegetable consumption) in the RocHealthData map room.