A Guide to Breast & Cervical Health

A Guide to Breast & Cervical Health

The neighborhoods of Dorchester and Mattapan record the highest number of breast cancer deaths in the City of Boston according to the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. Women of African descent are more likely to have and die from breast and cervical cancers as compared to women of other backgrounds. Equally alarming is the unusually high rate of abnormal pap smears for young females aged 18 years and younger in the local community.

What causes an abnormal Pap smear?

Close to 95% of abnormal Pap smear results are caused by the Human Papillomavirus. It is now considered the most common sexually transmitted disease and …