HPV Facts, Not Fear: What Every Latina Needs to Know
The call came in at 8 a.m. on a Monday. Dr. Guerrero’s name popped up on the caller ID, shooting my heart straight to my stomach. It was never good news when your OB/GYN called you, let alone this early in the morning.
After a few polite greetings, she relayed the news I was bracing for. “You’ve tested positive for HPV—Human Papilloma Virus. We’ll have to refer you for the next step, which is a colposcopy, to see if you test positive for cervical cancer. I’m really sorry about this. But it is a very common diagnosis. You are not alone. We will get through this.”
After that, everything she said sounded like Charlie Brown’s teacher speaking in “Peanuts.” I couldn’t wrap my head around how I’d been diagnosed with HPV. Didn’t my mother march me into the pediatrician’s office years earlier for the vaccines to prevent it? How did I even get it? What would happen if the cervical cancer diagnosis came out positive?
The road ahead was uncertain, with little information aside from “This is a very common diagnosis” thrown at me. However, after doing my own research, I found out the harsh truth behind HPV and, concurrently, cervical cancer. Mainly how it affects Latinas. As figures from the Cancer Action Network and American Cancer Society show, cervical cancer remains higher in Latinas than any other demographic in the United States.
Even though after the colposcopy, I tested negative for cervical cancer. And have thereafter tested negative for HPV, Latinas continue to be at risk.
Reduced rates of cervical cancer screenings and healthcare access are behind the staggering rates of cervical cancer among Latinas
The American Cancer Society reports that cervical cancer stands among one of the most preventable diseases. Pap smears and the HPV vaccine are allies against it. With these tests, doctors can detect pre-cancerous cells in the cervix. They recommend women between the ages of 21 and 65 regularly test for it.
On the other hand, HPV infections are pretty common. More than 150 related viruses compose the virus and are transmitted through intimate skin-to-skin contact. Figures show that nearly 80 million people in the U.S. currently have HPV. While most infections clear up on their own and don’t have any symptoms, some persist, causing cell changes in the cervix that can develop into cancer.
However, barriers to care, such as financial means, are keeping Latinas from receiving the medical attention they need to prevent the virus. According to the National Institute of Health, lack of information related to cervical cancer and HPV, as well as stigma, contributes to the lack of testing.
“Cervical cancer rates are not distributed equally; incidence rates among Latinas (9.4 per 100,00) were higher than rates among Non-Hispanic white women,” the publication states. “Rates of cervical cancer mortality are similarly unequally distributed, with Latinas having higher rates than NHW women.”
Education and reduced stigma could reduce the number of Latinas dying of cervical cancer
One of the most prominent emotions I felt while dealing with my HPV diagnosis was shame. As with other sexually transmitted diseases, the stigma around HPV kept me silent, with only a few women in my circle aware of what was happening. Even though up to that point, I had only had sex with my partner for several years. I could hear the shame spewing from my community: “Sucia,” “She probably didn’t take care of herself,” “That’s what happens when you have sex outside of marriage.”
I still remember crying in my friend’s car when she dropped me off at my colposcopy, terrified of how painful the biopsy could be but even more terrified of testing positive for cervical cancer. In the testing room, the nurse held my hand the entire time as the doctor reassured me everything was okay and I had done nothing wrong.
Now, nearly a decade later, I know the facts, and thanks to that, I’ve been able to accompany women in my community through their HPV diagnosis
Sitting with them, telling them, “I know how you feel. The great thing is that you got tested and cared for your health.” The truth is, we need to change the narrative surrounding sexual health in the Latino community—stat. Because coupled with a lack of education about testing and vaccines, it’s killing women in our community disproportionately. And I don’t know about you, but I’d rather see women alive and thriving than dying from a preventable disease.
I’m not alone, though; others are catching on. In “Educating Latinas About Cervical Cancer and HPV: A Pilot Randomized Study,” researchers assessed three different educational interventions to promote Pap testing and HPV co-testing among Latinas. The three culturally relevant interventions successfully increased knowledge among the 160 Latinas who participated.
Another great resource is AMIGAS, a bilingual educational outreach program that has proven effective in promoting screenings among Latinas. Standing for “Ayudando a las Mujeres con Información, Guía y Amor para su Salud,” the program helps community health workers or other health educators increase cervical cancer screenings among Latinas with low screening rates.
From vaccines to testing, there’s hope for Latinas to reduce their HPV risk
Even though the figures can be scary, Latinas should not lose hope. Now that we know knowledge is power, all that’s left to do is act on it. Co-testing of HPV with pap smears is an easy way to detect HPV and cervical cancer early.
The United States Preventive Services Task Force Final Update Summary suggests that women between the ages of 30 and 65 co-test every five years. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists adds that women should visit their OB/GYN each year. Women between 21 and 29 should get a pap smear alone every three years.
However, more frequent screenings are recommended for people with a history of cervical cancer, a weakened immune system, are HIV positive, or were exposed to diethylstilbestrol before birth.
The CDC recommends the HPV vaccine as a routine vaccination for teens as young as 11 or 12. If they were not vaccinated younger, the vaccine is also recommended for everyone through age 26. Still, even after getting the vaccine, it’s essential to get regular screenings with your doctor.
I am the perfect example of someone with the vaccine who still tested positive for HPV. Even though the vaccine protects against some types of HPV, many other types are not covered by the vaccine and could still cause cervical cancer. This can also happen for people exposed to the infections before the vaccine.
Finally, aside from these recommendations, there are other ways to prevent cervical cancer and HPV. Practice safe sex by using condoms, avoid smoking (it can damage the DNA of cells around the cervix), and keep a healthy diet.
Karla Montalván is a seasoned editor, writer, and sex coach with over a decade of experience. Her work has appeared in renowned publications such as People en Español, People Magazine, mitú, Cosmopolitan, HipLatina, and FIERCE. In 2022, driven by the lack of accessible sexual education for Latinas, Montalván launched the Detrás de Kama podcast. Through this platform, she fearlessly delves into intimate topics, offering valuable insights and empowering her audience to embrace their intimate wellness with confidence.
