Threads of Stress: Unraveling the Impact on Black Women's Health
Ever paused to reflect on how stress weaves into the fabric of our long-term well-being? It's a question that occupies my thoughts as I navigate the path towards prioritizing health. In January, as Milwaukee embraced Cervical Health Awareness Month, my exploration into this topic revealed profound connections to stress.
The Mayo Clinic succinctly defines cervical cancer as a growth of cells originating in the cervix—the lower part of the uterus linking to the vagina. It's sobering to learn that prolonged exposure to severe stress can elevate the risk of cancers associated with HPV infection, including cervical cancer (National Institute of Health, 2021).
This revelation becomes especially poignant when considering the immense stress that permeates the lives of Black women in Milwaukee. Racism, sexism, poverty, caregiving for elders, child care, transportation hurdles, multiple jobs, housing instability, and limited healthcare access collectively contribute to the burden we carry. The realization that stress may impact our cancer risk becomes a clarion call for action.
So, what's the prescription for Black Women in Milwaukee to mitigate the stress-driven risk of Cervical Cancer? It necessitates intentional efforts to dismantle barriers rooted in poverty and issues surrounding access to culturally competent care and testing. Shockingly, Black women face twice the likelihood of succumbing to Cervical cancer compared to their white counterparts. Our lives hang in the balance.
Regular pap smears, HPV vaccinations, and routine HPV tests emerge as lifelines, offering the best chance to detect the disease early. The urgency is palpable; Black women's lives are literally on the line. True health in the Black community demands that Black women stand at the forefront of well-being, necessitating a disruptive force against the societal systems that heighten their stress levels.
Sources
National Institute of Health (2021) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8299464/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4408974/
This blog post was written by Lisa Jones.
