Abstract
BackgroundOur aim is to provide a state-of-the-art overview of knowledge on sex (biological) and gender (sociocultural) aspects of Human papillomavirus (HPV) and cervical cancer for educational purposes. Considerable disparities exist in cervical cancer incidences between different subgroups of women. We provide an outline on the crucial issues and debates based on the recent literature published in leading gender medicine journals. Intersectionality was applied in order to help categorise the knowledge.MethodsKey terms (HPV, cervical cancer) were screened in Gender Medicine, Journal of Women’s Health and Women & Health from January 2005-June 2012. Additional searches were conducted for topics insufficiently mentioned, such as HPV vaccination of boys. In total, 71 publications were included (56 original papers, four reviews, six reports, three commentaries, one editorial and one policy statement).ResultsResearch reveals complexity in the way various subgroups of women adhere to cervical screening. Less educated women, older women, uninsured women, homeless women, migrant women facing language barriers, women who have sex with women and obese women participate in Pap smears less frequently. A series of barriers can act to impede decisions to vaccinate against HPV.ConclusionsBoth male and female controlled preventive methods and treatment measures should be developed in order to tackle HPV infection and different strategies are needed for different subgroups. A substantial discussion and research on alternative methods of prevention was and is lacking. In future research, sex and gender aspects of HPV-related diseases of boys and men as well as subgroup differences in HPV risk need to be addressed.
Highlights
Transmitted Infections (STIs) are a formidable public health issue
Studies show that childhood sexual abuse (CSA) is reported by twice as many women than men and more often by subgroups such as pregnant adolescents, men who have sex with men, lesbian and bisexual women, women in psychiatric care, drug users or persons who tested positive for HIV [9,10,11]
In New Zealand, ethnic disparities in cancer survival are reported as well: Maori women were diagnosed more often with late stage cervical cancer, and had shorter survival, excess mortality decreased over the years 1994–2005 [48]
Summary
Transmitted Infections (STIs) are a formidable public health issue. Many sex and gender differences exist in epidemiology, etiology, diagnosis, treatment and consequences of STIs. Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is one of the most common STIs, it is not solely transmitted sexually, and oncogenic subtypes are associated with cervical cancer, as well as cancers of the head and neck, anal tumors, penile cancers, and cancers of the vulva and vagina [4]. Known co-factors associated with cervical cancer development are cigarette smoking, alcohol consumption, micronutrients deficiency in fruits and vegetables, prolonged use of oral contraception, multiparity, uncircumcised male partner, low socioeconomic status (SES), infection with HIV/AIDS or other STIs including herpes simplex and Chlamydia trachomatis [5,6]. Our aim is to provide a state-of-the-art overview of knowledge on sex (biological) and gender (sociocultural) aspects of Human papillomavirus (HPV) and cervical cancer for educational purposes. Intersectionality was applied in order to help categorise the knowledge
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