THE CANCER THAT FAILS BLACK WOMEN AND WOMEN OF COLOR AT A DISPROPORTIONATE RATE

Why Cervical Cancer is still taking Black and Brown lives- and what we must do now

Let’s be honest — cervical cancer is one of those things people don’t talk about until it’s too late. But for Black women and people of color, “too late” shows up way too often. This is a cancer that’s preventable and treatable, yet we’re the ones dying from it the most. And I’ve seen why up close.

When I worked with a nonprofit community health organization, we traveled all over — from beauty salons and baby showers to churches and block parties — bringing reproductive health education straight to the people who need it. We’d teach folks how cervical cancer starts, how to prevent it, and how to get tested. But no matter where we were, I’d hear the same kinds of stories:

“They told me I was too young.”

“They said I didn’t need a Pap smear yet.”

“They denied the test because I didn’t have a family history.”

Those policies and excuses? They’re failing us. Because Black and Brown women don’t always “check the boxes,” but we’re the ones most at risk.

Aida’s Story: “They got to 6:30…”

One woman I’ll never forget is Aida Rivera, a Latina woman who was just 21 years old when she was diagnosed with stage 4 cervical cancer after being denied a Pap smear and HPV testing multiple times. Why? Because she didn’t have a family history and was “too young.”

By the time they finally did a biopsy, the cancer had spread. She once described how doctors removed pieces of her cervix in a circular pattern — like the hands of a clock.

“They got to 6:30, and that’s when the pain became unbearable.”

That moment is seared into her memory — and into mine. Because that level of pain and that level of dismissal should have never happened. But what makes Aida’s story even more powerful is what came after.

She survived. She advocated. She fought for herself when the system didn’t — and she won.

Today, Aida is a community health advocate, a mother of multiple children, and a voice for so many others who face the same barriers. Her story didn’t end at diagnosis. It became a mission.

What Cervical Cancer Looks Like — And Why We’re Missing It

Cervical cancer is most often caused by HPV (Human Papillomavirus) — a common virus that most people get at some point. It’s preventable with regular Pap smears, HPV testing, and vaccination, but many women aren’t even told they need these tests.

Here’s what the process often looks like:

Pap Smear – A provider gently collects cells from the cervix to check for abnormal or precancerous changes.

HPV Test – Often done at the same time, it looks for high-risk types of the virus.

If abnormal results show up, the next step might be a colposcopy (a closer look at the cervix), followed by a biopsy.

Treatment options include:

Cryotherapy – Freezing abnormal cells to destroy them

LEEP – Using an electric wire loop to remove damaged tissue

Cone Biopsy – Surgically removing a cone-shaped piece of cervical tissue

These procedures are often done outpatient — but they come with physical and emotional weight, especially when they could’ve been avoided through earlier access and action.

The Numbers Don’t Lie

Black women are nearly twice as likely to die from cervical cancer compared to white women.

Latina women have one of the highest rates of cervical cancer diagnosis in the U.S.

The disparity isn’t genetic — it’s systemic. It’s about access, education, delayed care, and medical dismissal.

Every time someone says, “you’re too young” or “you don’t need a Pap yet,” they’re playing with lives.

What Needs to Change — Now

We need real change, not empty promises:

No more restrictions on screening based on age or history

HPV vaccinations and education starting early, especially in Black and Brown communities

Culturally competent providers who know how to listen and take action

More funding for grassroots outreach where trust already exists

Aida’s Victory Is a Blueprint

Aida’s story is one of resilience, self-advocacy, and survival. She did what many Black and Brown women are forced to do — she became her own advocate when the system failed her.

And now? She uses her voice to educate, empower, and save lives. She’s not just surviving — she’s thriving, mothering, mentoring, and helping others push for the care they deserve.

Her story isn’t just about cancer. It’s about what happens when we demand better.

We Deserve Early Care — Not Late Apologies

Cervical cancer is preventable. But prevention only works when it’s accessible, equitable, and believable.

Aida is here today because she pushed through the pain, asked the hard questions, and refused to be silenced.

Let’s make sure her story doesn’t stand out — because no woman should have to fight that hard just to survive something that could have been stopped.

Let’s stop letting systems fail us. Let’s start showing up for each other.

And let’s make sure the next time a young Black or Brown woman says, “Something doesn’t feel right,” she gets care — not a calendar excuse.

This could’ve been another missed opportunity — and another life impacted.