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Cervical Cancer Awareness Month
January is cervical health awareness month. Did you know that cervical cancer is one of the most common types of cancer and that HPV is the leading cause of it? (American Cancer Society, 2022). Fortunately, there are screening tools and vaccinations that help prevent and detect cervical cancer:
Pap smear screening: recommended every three years between the ages of 21 and 65 years old to detect precancerous or cancerous cervical cells (USPSTF, 2018). This may be done in combination with high-risk HPV testing which detects the presence of HPV. High-risk HPV testing may be done every five years.
The CDC (2021) recommends two doses of the HPV vaccine for most people starting at 11 or 12 years of age, though this may be given as early as 9 years old. This vaccine helps prevent new HPV infections but does not treat existing HPV infections.
If you’re interested in scheduling a cervical cancer screening appointment, SF State’s Student Health Services offers Pap smears and abnormal cervical cancer screen follow-up appointments. Call the clinic at (415) 338-1251 for an appointment and additional information on services offered. Additionally, you can call (800) 511-2300 to see if you qualify for a free or low-cost Pap smear through the National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program.
American Cancer Society. (2022). Key statistics for cervical cancer.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2021). HPV vaccination recommendations.
U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. (2018, August 21). Cervical cancer: Screening.
Covid-19 Vaccines and Axillary Lymphadenopathy on Breast MRIs
Early research suggests there is an increased incidence of axillary lymphadenopathy on breast MRI compared to other vaccines. Institutions may begin implementing workflows to ask women questions on the date of their vaccine administration to guide any imaging procedures and schedule them for a follow up scan.
For recommendations from the Society of Breast Imaging:
For research findings published in AJR:
https://www.ajronline.org/doi/10.2214/AJR.21.25604
For example, here are UCSF's recommendations for breast imaging following the Covid-19 vaccine:
The American College of Obstetrics and Gynecologists recommends pregnant individuals who meet the criteria for vaccination should make their own decisions with their clinical care team. Vaccines should not be withheld from pregnant or lactating individuals, and individuals who choose not to be vaccinated should be supported in their choice.
Evidence suggests symptomatic pregnant patients with Covid-19 are at an increased risk for a more severe illness than their nonpregnant, symptomatic counterparts.
Pregnant individuals who experience a fever (a common, normal side effect) after the vaccination should be counseled to take acetaminophen, which is safe for pregnancy and does not appear to impact the antibody response to the vaccine.
For more information on ACOG’s recommendation, visit their website: https://www.acog.org/clinical/clinical-guidance/practice-advisory/articles/2020/12/vaccinating-pregnant-and-lactating-patients-against-covid-19
Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act of 2021
On Feb 2, 2021, three Black lawmakers (Reps. Lauren Underwood and Alma Adams, and Sen. Cory Booker) introduced the “Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act of 2021”, aimed to combat the significant health inequities that Black mothers face throughout the United States. Black women are still over three times more likely than white women to die from pregnancy-related complications.
This set of bills will address social determinants of health affecting unequal access to care, structural racism, and implicit biases. Community organizations and state/local governments will receive funding to improve these maternal health outcomes.
For more information:
For a summary of the bill:
https://blackmaternalhealthcaucus-underwood.house.gov/Momnibus
Thank You
Ruth Bader Ginsburg
A whistleblower complaint was filed: A person exposing secretive information or activity within a private or public organization deemed illegal or unethical.
Dr. Mahendra Amin is the main physician accused of performing these invasive surgeries and medical procedures on detained women.
Failed to protect staff and detainees against coronavirus.
Nurse who filed the complaint was demoted from full time to “as needed” position because she has been asking hard questions about inappropriate testing of detained female immigrants for COVID 19.
There has been a long history of complaints in facilities which includes: lack of accountability, gross disregard for health and safety standards, lack of medical care, and unsanitary living conditions at Irwin County Detention Center.
On Sept 14, 2020, San Francisco Mayor London Breed announced a pilot program to provide basic income to Black and Pacific Islander (B and PI) women during pregnancy
The “Abundant Birth Project” is a fully funded public-private partnership created to tackle the disparities threatening the health of B and PI communities, largely due to the increasing racial wealth gap
The pilot program will provide an unconditional income supplement of $1000 to 150 B and PI women in SF for the duration of their pregnancy through the first six months of their infant’s life
The goal is to expand this basic income to two years following the birth of an infant
Prematurity is the leading cause of infant mortality and leads to lifelong conditions, and the B and PI community has the highest rates of preterm births
This study is led by Dr. Zea Malawa from Expecting Justice and the SFDPH, and it is supported by the Hellman Foundation and the UCSF Preterm Birth Initiative
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