Month: November 2024

Celebrating Native American Heritage Month: Honoring Resilience and Promoting Health Equity

November marks Native American Heritage Month, a celebration of the rich history, diverse cultures, and significant contributions of Native American communities. This month also serves as a poignant reminder of the disparities and challenges faced by these communities, including alarming rates of cervical cancer. 

Cervical Cancer Disparities in Native American Communities

Cervical cancer disproportionately affects Native American women. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), American Indian/Alaska Native women experience higher cervical cancer incidence rates compared to white women. Factors contributing to these disparities include:

  • Limited access to healthcare services, including cervical cancer screening and HPV vaccination
  • Cultural barriers and mistrust in healthcare systems
  • Higher rates of smoking and obesity
  • Limited health education and awareness

Empowering Native American Communities

Cervivor, Inc., a non-profit organization, works to eliminate cervical cancer disparities. Through education, advocacy, and community engagement, Cervivor promotes health equity and empowers Native American communities to take control of their health.

Let’s share some of our affected Cervivor community members’ personal stories during this important month…

Kristine

Kristine is half Native American and half Caucasian. When she was diagnosed with cervical cancer, she turned to her heritage for strength. It served as a reminder of those who came before her and what it meant to have their blood running through her veins. Kristine expresses, “I believe my strength comes from both sides of my family. We come from a long line of warriors. I was diagnosed with stage I cervical cancer in 2012 when I was 34 years old to which I received a radical hysterectomy. The decisions leading to that were difficult and heart-wrenching as I wasn’t sure our family was complete. I suffered from anxiety and depression for a few years after. Being diagnosed with cancer is difficult – it teaches you humility and vulnerability all the while showing you what strength you possess even years later.”

Nicole

Nicole’s journey with cervical cancer began unexpectedly. A hospital visit for a suspected UTI revealed a startling diagnosis: stage IIIC cervical cancer. Nicole’s life changed forever. The initial shock gave way to determination. Nicole refused to let cancer defeat her, driven by the desire to be there for her children. Having lost her mother at 16, she knew the pain of growing up without a parent. With newfound resolve, Nicole shared her diagnosis with loved ones, finding comfort in their unwavering support. Nicole’s experience has ignited a passion for advocacy. Through Cervivor, she shares her story to raise awareness and promote education. Nicole’s resilience inspires others to confront cervical cancer boldly. Her story embodies strength, inspiring others to confront cervical cancer head-on. And her unwavering spirit encourages open conversations, promotes health education, and honors the resilience of Native American communities during Native American Heritage Month.

Beverly 

Beverly’s courageous journey with stage IIIB cervical cancer began at 40. Amidst fear and uncertainty, Beverly found solace in traditional ceremonies, communal support, and determination. Embracing both spiritual practices and medical interventions, Beverly underwent chemotherapy, radiation, and surgical implantation of radioactive material. Despite community doubts and personal terror, she chose a path blending modern medicine with ancestral wisdom. Beverly faced judgment, whispering, and avoidance, but also kindness from supportive community members. Driving herself to treatments, exhausted and lonely, she persevered. “My song will continue until my last breath,” she says. Beverly embodies Native American resilience, inspiring others through Cervivor. Her spirit honors ancestral strength during Native American Heritage Month.

Get Involved

Native American Heritage Month celebrates resilience, strength, and cultural richness. Addressing cervical cancer disparities requires collective action. Organizations like Cervivor play a vital role in promoting health equity and empowering Native American communities. By sharing stories like Kristine’s, Nicole’s, and Beverly’s, we honor their experiences and amplify the call for change. 

  • Learn about cervical cancer prevention and disparities
  • Support patient advocacy organizations like Cervivor
  • Advocate for health equity and culturally sensitive care
  • Celebrate Native American Heritage Month by promoting awareness and understanding

We can eliminate cervical cancer disparities, honor the heritage, and build resilience in Native American communities.

Educate to Eliminate: Amplifying the Global Call to End Cervical Cancer 

Cervical Cancer Elimination Day of Action is this Sunday, November 17. It marks the global goal set by the World Health Organization (WHO) to eliminate cervical cancer by 2030. Since the WHO announced its strategy in 2020, nearly 200 countries have committed to the mission, and numerous global and national groups have joined the call.

But we won’t reach this goal if we don’t roll up our collective sleeves and do the work. Cervical Cancer Elimination Day of Action is an important reminder that the fight is still on. It is especially meaningful to many in our Cervivor community, including Cervivor Ambassador and Cervivor Español Co-Lead Karla Chavez.

Karla Chavez

“As a cervical cancer survivor, this day hits close to home. It’s not just about setting targets – it’s about making sure the tools to prevent and treat cervical cancer reach women everywhere,” says Karla, who will give remarks at a WHO-hosted virtual webinar on Monday, November 18, about frontline workers and the cause. “I know firsthand how life-changing these resources are, and it means so much to see us actively working to make sure no one else has to endure this disease.”

So, what are the targets?

Global Guidelines to End Cervical Cancer

The WHO’s “90-70-90” strategy to eliminate cervical cancer by 2030 includes these key global targets:

  • HPV Vaccination Rate: 90% of girls get the HPV vaccine by age 15. Doing so protects them against high-risk HPV strains that can cause cancers in the cervix, vagina, vulva, head, neck, mouth, and anus (the last four in men as well).
  • Improved Screening: Make sure 70% of women get screened for cervical cancer by age 35 and again by age 45. Pap tests find abnormal cells that can become cancerous, while HPV tests check for the virus – aiming to catch risks early.
  • Better Access to Treatment: 90% of women with early signs of cervical cancer receive treatment, and 90% of women with invasive cancer get the care they need to manage and treat the disease effectively.

Is it possible to eliminate cervical cancer completely? The WHO estimates that cervical cancer will become a rare disease – rather than a common health threat – when fewer than 4 cases per 100,000 women are diagnosed each year.

How Are We Doing? 

Globally, approximately 350,000 women continue to die each year from cervical cancer. When the WHO set its guidelines in 2020, the number was around 311,000, which shows the significant challenges in meeting the targets, particularly in economically disadvantaged countries. It also highlights the ongoing need for global action to end cervical cancer.

The outlook in the U.S. is encouraging. This year, approximately 4,360 women are expected to die from cervical cancer, a significant decrease from the 1970s and ’80s when annual deaths reached up to 10,000. The U.S. is getting closer to meeting the WHO’s targets, thanks to rising HPV vaccination rates, although it still falls short of the 90% goal. According to the CDC, in 2023, 76.8% of adolescents had received at least one dose of the HPV vaccine, and 61.4% were fully vaccinated. While access to screening and treatment is strong in many regions around the country, disparities persist.

Educate to Eliminate Cervical Cancer

How can the Cervivor community support the global mission to end cervical cancer? One powerful way is by sharing life-saving information to “Educate to Eliminate,” starting with these 4 Crucial Facts about HPV and Cervical Cancer.

Just as important, continue sharing your Cervivor Stories – because you never know who needs to hear them. Stories like U.K. Cervivor Samina Cepal, whose cervical cancer was detected during a routine Pap test, or Washington-based Pamela Akers, who had regular Pap tests but still had “below the belt” issues. The lessons learned? Regular screenings are key to preventing cervical cancer, but it’s also essential to listen to your body beyond routine exams so you can seek care early, as the WHO advocates.

Samina Cepal
Pamela Akers

This also requires frontline healthcare workers to have the resources needed for accurate screenings and proper treatment. Cervivor Ambassador Karla, a patient advocate on the WHO’s Living Guidelines team for Cervical Cancer Screening, emphasizes these medical professionals’ important role in ending cervical cancer. “I deeply appreciate the struggles frontline workers face. They’re dedicated but need our support – whether for tools, training, or recognition – to make a real difference in women’s lives.”

Or, you could decide to be a frontline worker yourself like Anh Le! Diagnosed as a medical student in 2018 with a rare, aggressive form of cervical cancer, Anh underwent lifesaving surgery at Memorial Sloan Kettering, which motivated her to become an OB/GYN oncologist to help cancer patients. She’s now cancer-free and doing her OB/GYN residency.

Donate to Eliminate, Too!

On this Cervical Cancer Elimination Day of Action, let’s honor those who continue to fight the good fight – like Samina, Pamela, Karla, and Anh Le – and those who lost the battle, like my friend Heather. While it’s heartbreaking to think that today’s prevention tools could have saved her life, the fact that we have them now is the best reason to make this day count.

At Cervivor, we’re asking our community to commemorate the day by donating $17 on November 17 to support our critical work in regions most affected by cervical cancer. Donations will help fund Cervivor School Kenya (2025) and a Cervivor Cares community awareness event in Honduras, where Karla lives, among other initiatives.

We’re also amplifying the WHO’s goal with our November 2024 podcast featuring Dr. Trisha L. Amboree, a public health expert at MUSC Hollings Cancer Center, who discusses the importance of the Elimination Day of Action. The episode airs on Sunday, November 17.

Check out our many other resources on Cervivor.org and learn how you can get involved or share your cervical cancer experience on Elimination Day and every day. 

SARA LYLE-INGERSOLL is a seasoned content and communications expert dedicated to transforming lived experiences into impactful stories. Her award-winning magazine feature about a close friend who passed from cervical cancer in their twenties led her to connect with Cervivor’s founder, Tamika Felder, and solidified her commitment to cervical cancer awareness and prevention. Now, as Cervivor’s Communications Director, Sara brings this mission full circle. Her previous roles include Editor-in-Chief of The Finder in Singapore, Deputy Editor at Woman’s Day, Lifestyle Director at Good Housekeeping, and Senior Editor at Jane Magazine. Based in Denver, she is a boy mom of a blended family and enjoys good food, travel, and all the sunsets.