Cecily O'Connor
RedwoodAge.com

The majority of US states are doing a good job in their efforts to prevent cervical cancer, but they still face challenges in providing testing to stop the second-largest cancer threat to women, according to a study by a group representing women legislators.

Prevention efforts focus on the human papillomavirus, or HPV, because persistent infection with high risk types of the virus can lead to cervical cancer.

Approximately 20 million people are infected with HPV, with 6.2 million new infections occurring annually, according to the Centers for Disease Control. About 80 percent of sexually active women will be infected with HPV by age 50.

Six states - including Illinois and Massachusetts - were rated "very good" in prevention efforts, and 31 states - including Nevada, Ohio and New York - were rated "good" for prevention efforts, according to Women In Government, the nonprofit organization that conducted the study.

Thirteen states -  including California, Oregon and the District of Columbia - received a "fair" grade. See ranks of all states. 

The report looked at current data for each state on cervical cancer incidence and mortality rates; screening rates, including tests for low-income women; women's access to screening with the most up-to-date technology; rates of uninsured women; and the legislative priority assigned to the issue, particularly regarding the availability of the new human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine. 

"Although we have seen progress in the states on cervical cancer prevention policies... it is critical that policymakers and public health advocates work collaboratively within each state to ensure that available preventive technologies, such as the HPV vaccine and HPV screening, are made available to and utilized by all women, particularly underserved women who need them most," said Susan Crosby, president of Women In Government. 

Over the past year, several bills have been enacted to help fight cervical cancer, as well as implement cervical cancer prevention programs, the group said. The consensus remains that education, prevention, and collaborative efforts are key to eliminate cervical cancer, which is the second most fatal type of cancer for women, behind breast cancer. 

Scores
Minnesota and North Carolina scored the highest in the report with a grade of "very good" earning 17 out 22 possible points. Other the top-performing states were: Illinois with 16 points, followed by Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Virginia, each with 15 points for a "very good" rating.

Idaho and South Dakota received the lowest score with eight points. Louisiana, Nebraska, Tennessee and Utah each had nine points for a rating of "fair."

Of the 27 states and the District of Columbia that took action to require HPV vaccination for school entry, only Virginia and DC passed a vaccine requirement. However, stalled HPV vaccine requirements in many states were replaced with HPV education initiatives, greatly increasing HPV public education efforts, the group said.

Even with the vaccine, screening remains critical. Some types of HPV aren't covered by the vaccine, some women were exposed to HPV before receiving the vaccine, and some women don't receive the vaccine. The Pap test is 51 to 85 percent accurate, depending upon the type of Pap test used. 

In the US, Hispanic and African-American women more likely to be diagnosed with the disease, and more likely to die of it than white women.