Credit: Yagazie Emezi/Getty Images/Images of Empowerment.
The risk of different forms of reproductive cancer (breast, cervical, ovarian, uterine, prostate) also increases with age. Prostate cancer is the world’s second-most diagnosed cancer and is the leading cause of cancer death in 48 countries, many of these in sub-Saharan Africa, the Caribbean, and Central and South America. In women, breast cancer and cervical cancer are the two most common cancers. Breast cancer accounts for 1 in 4 cancer cases and 1 in 6 cancer deaths worldwide. Some of the most rapid increases in breast cancer incidences are occurring in sub-Saharan Africa. Cervical cancer is the world’s fourth most frequently diagnosed and is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in 23 countries. It is the leading cause of cancer death in 36 countries—many of them in sub-Saharan Africa, Melanesia, South America, and Southeast Asia.
Cervical cancer is considered a highly preventable form of cancer. Highly effective prevention measures include:
- Vaccination against Human Papillomavirus (HPV), an STI that can lead to lesions on the cervix that develop into cancer usually later in life.
- Regular cervical screening.
- Timely follow-up of abnormal findings.
However, due to decreases in screening, incidence rates have climbed worldwide (most notably in Eastern Europe, Central Asia, and sub-Saharan Africa). In fact, only 44% of women in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) have ever been screened for cervical cancer. This signals a significant disparity in access to preventive services, which also leads to higher rates of disease and mortality. In Kenya, nine women die each day from cervical cancer, while only 16% of eligible women report ever being screened for the disease.
While the increased risk of certain types of cancers has been well recognized by providers and health education campaigns, STI risk among older adults is poorly understood and addressed due to several factors, including:
- Provider and public health bias.
- Insufficient policies.
- Harmful social and cultural norms that perpetuate ageist beliefs about the sexual health of older adults.
In terms of primary prevention, the HPV vaccine is relatively new. It was only approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in 2006 and targeted children and adolescents (9–13 years). For these reasons, a large proportion of adults have never been vaccinated against HPV. As of 2020, less than 30% of LMICs had a national HPV vaccination campaign.