A gender analysis of cervical cancer

The recent release of the HPV vaccine, Gardasil, has elicited debates among activists, politicians, physicians and religious groups about female sexuality and the rights of women. The stigma that comes with cervical cancer's link to sexual behavior is pervasive and can be seen in the disparities within national data as well as the current policies and programs supported by the US government. This gender analysis examines how the social construct of gender intersects with the sex-linked disease of cervical cancer. It describes the impact of gender norms and assumptions on the racial, socioeconomic, geographic, and age-related disparities in cervical cancer incidence and mortality. A review of current US policy reveals inconsistent recommendations, vague language, and a glaring silence towards women's sexual behavior that could be increasing women's cervical cancer risk. The emergence of the HPV vaccine as a new prevention tool has the potential to reduce this highly preventable disease; however failure to consider gender and its intersections with other social structures could widen the incidence and mortality gaps further. This analysis provides recommendations for future strategies to incorporate a gender perspective in research, programming, and federal policy.