Tonight, we are shining a light on a topic that is often overlooked but deeply relevant to our LGBTQ plus community. This includes queer women, trans men, nonbinary individuals with cervixes, and anyone navigating midlife sexuality.
The topic is Pap smears after menopause. According to the American Cancer Society, the average age of cervical cancer diagnosis is 50. The National Cancer Institute adds that deaths from the disease are most common between ages 55 and 64. Dr. Varsha Manucha, professor of anatomic pathology, emphasizes that women in midlife are at a particularly higher risk of being diagnosed with cervical cancer.
She explains that screening offers a chance to catch cancer early, often before symptoms appear. This enables timely intervention and reduces mortality. This is especially important for our community. Many LGBTQ+ individuals face barriers to routine screenings. These barriers include stigma, lack of inclusive care, and misinformation. HPV does not care about age or identity. Pap smears check for abnormal cervical cells, often linked to HPV, the human papillomavirus. Dr. Mindy Goldman, an OB-GYN and chief clinical officer at Midi Health, says,
“While most people’s immune systems clear the virus on their own, in some cases, HPV can persist for years…Pap smears help detect these abnormalities early, before they become cancerous.”
Here is another critical point. More than seventy percent of cervical cancers are caused by high-risk HPV subtypes sixteen and eighteen. These subtypes can persist for years and cause abnormal changes in cervical cells. If you are dating again, have new partners, or have a history of abnormal results, screening is still essential.
As Dr. Sameena Rahman reminds us,
“Midlife can be a time of joyful, empowered sexuality—and staying proactive about your health is a vital part of that.”
This includes HPV vaccination, which is still available and often covered for those under forty-five. It is time to normalize these conversations in the LGBTQ community. Staying informed is how we stay strong.
