Cervical Cancer-Free South Carolina is a member state of the Cervical Cancer-Free Coalition focused on eliminating cervical cancer through screening, follow-up care, vaccination, and education.Cervical Cancer-Free South Carolina consists of individual and organizational partners committed to increasing participation in cervical cancer screening; increasing adherence to follow-up care of abnormal screening results; increasing rates of HPV vaccination; and seeking additional funding to support cervical cancer screening and HPV vaccination in South Carolina.
Key Points about Cervical Cancer and Other HPV-Associated Cancers in South Carolina:
- Based on 2013 data, which are the most recently available, South Carolina ranks 11th in the U.S. in new cases of cervical cancer (incidence) with a rate of 7.7 cases per 100,000. The U.S. average is 7.2 cases per 100,000 with Arkansas having the highest rate of new cases in the U.S. (10.6). South Carolina ranks 9th in cervical cancer deaths (mortality) with a rate of 2.7 deaths per 100,000. The U.S. average is 2.3 deaths per 100,000 with Mississippi having the highest rate of deaths in the U.S. (4.0). {
- In South Carolina, in 2013, 195 women were diagnosed with cervical cancer, and in 2014, 69 women died of cervical cancer. {2013 new cases/2014 deaths SC DHEC data}
- From 1996 to 2013, new cases of cervical cancer are about 40% higher in African-American/Black women (11.8 cases per 100,000) as compared to white women (8.4 cases per 100,000). From 1996 to 2014, the cervical cancer death rate is more than two times higher in African-American/Black women (5.1 deaths per 100,000) as compared to white women (2.2deaths per 100,000). {1996-2013 new cases / 1996-2014 deaths SC DHEC data}
- CDC estimates that approximately 30,700 new cancers are attributable to HPV, including 19,200 among females and 11,600 among males, each year. HPV is a main cause of cervical cancer in women. {
- HPV-associated cancers, including cervical, oropharyngeal, and other anogenital cancers (anal, penile, vaginal, vulvar), affect men and women. South Carolina ranks among the highest states in the United States when examining HPV-associated oral cancer in males and females. {2006-2010 CDC data
- In addition to cancer, HPV also leads to pre-cancerous conditions, such as causing abnormal Pap tests. About 400,000 women each year have abnormal Pap test results indicative of the presence of HPV with some of these abnormal results indicating cervical cancer.
Key Points about Adolescent Vaccination in South Carolina
- According to the 2015 NIS-TEEN Vaccination Data, about 54% of adolescent girls in South Carolina have received one or more doses of HPV vaccine and only 35% of adolescent boys received one or more doses of HPV vaccine. The HPV vaccination can protect a generation of South Carolina preteens and teens from cancers caused by HPV, and our rates of HPV vaccination are below the rest of the United States (63% for girls, 50% for boys).{
- HPV vaccination in South Carolina lags behind the United States overall.
-Half of South Carolina girls aged 13-17 years have not been vaccinated against HPV to prevent cervical and other types of cancer.
-Seven out of 10 South Carolina boys aged 13-17 years old have notbeen vaccinated against HPV to prevent cancer.
- These statistics represent missed opportunities for cancer prevention. HPV vaccination today is cancer prevention for the future. The differences in coverage rates between the adolescent vaccinations of Tdap and Meningococcal as compared to HPV show valuable opportunities are being missed to vaccinate boys and girls, leaving them at greater risk of HPV infections that can lead to cancer.
For more information about HPV and cervical cancer, visit:
{Version 1/2017}