Health Disparities

Gynecological oncology is a field exploring cancer's pertaining to women's health such as ovarian, uterine, and endometrial cancers among others. An often overlooked topic, it is important to note the increasing rates of these cancers alongside the impacts they have on the livelihood of those impacted by them. Within the last decade, increasing research has showed varying causes for these cancers ranging from individual to individual, including environmental, epi-genetics and genetics. Although overlooked, these cancers have gained increased awareness and research within the last decade, however low income and marginalized women have been left out of this research, leaving an untold story. As we observe a humanitarian crises in  among the world including ongoing cases of femicide, it is important to acknowledge all aspects and all stories of the women and non-male individuals impacted by these conditions. Women in these communities often live near industrial areas with higher pollution levels, neglected cities or war zones, which can lead to higher health risks, including cancer. The exposure to these pollutants can cause epigenetic changes that increase the risk of developing cancer, showing a clear link between the environment and health disparities. In addition to environmental factors, there are also significant disparities in cancer diagnosis and treatment. Women from underserved communities often have less access to healthcare, which means that cancers are diagnosed later when they are harder to treat. These diagnostic disparities lead to worse outcomes and higher mortality rates for these women. Factors like socioeconomic status, healthcare access, and cultural attitudes towards cancer screening all play a role in these disparities. By grasping these connections, we can develop better public health strategies to address these disparities, improve early cancer detection, and provide more effective treatments, advancing our knowledge of cancer but also helps promote health equity, ensuring better outcomes for all women.

These cancers often time impact the likelihood many of these women can become mothers, as removal of their sexual organs are often used as a resort due to the harshness of these cancers. Preventative measures such as HPV vaccines, safe environments, healthy diets and lack of exposure to chemicals could possibly reduce the amount of cases seen in each years. The impact of epigenetics are still being researched, specifically in the context of generational trauma and exposure to violence, however due to current research there seems to be a strong connection and likelihood between the two.