Black women with lupus have a higher risk of cervical cancer, and are more likely die from the disease than women of other races. ““Women with SLE have a weak immune system, which makes them more susceptible to infection and makes it more difficult to get rid of any HPV infection of the cervix,” says professor J. Patricia Dhar of the Wayne State University School of Medicine.
Pap smear testing requires an invasive examination by a trained health care professional in an office setting. “This becomes an issue for underserved populations that have social barriers and other circumstances that prevent compliance with this type of preventive health care,” Dr. Dhar said.
See “Pilot study will explore why Black women with lupus are more prone to HPV-led progression into cervical cancer” on the Wayne State University School of Medicine website (November 25, 2020)
