Association of Immunization Managers

Preventing HPV-Related Cancers: Cervivor’s Urgent Call for Action This Women’s Health Month

At Cervivor, Inc., every month is Women’s Health Month. But this May, we’re taking the opportunity to spotlight a critical public health issue that disproportionately impacts women: HPV-related cancers. 

HPV, or human papillomavirus, is an extremely common virus. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately 85% of people will be exposed to the virus at some point in their lives. While many HPV strains are essentially harmless, high-risk strains are responsible for more than 37,000 new cancer cases each year in the U.S., including about 21,800 cases in women and 16,000 in men. 

These cancers include vaginal, vulvar, anal, oropharyngeal, penile, and cervical cancer—what Cervivor is dedicated to eliminating. Cervical cancer remains the most common HPV-related cancer in women, with more than 11,000 new cases diagnosed annually.

The good news? Nearly all HPV-related cancers are preventable with tools like vaccination, regular checkups, and early treatment. Just last month, National Cancer Institute researchers reported “phenomenal” new data that a single dose of the HPV vaccine is just as effective as the two doses currently recommended for people aged 9 to 25!

This recent CDC infographic illustrates how effective the HPV vaccine can be in preventing over 90% of related cancers including cervical cancer.

“Knowledge is power—but it’s only the start,” says Tamika Felder, Cervivor’s Founder and Chief Visionary. “Preventable cancers like cervical cancer are on the rise because of complacency, stigma, and misinformation. Up-to-date cervical screenings have dropped over the past two decades, and HPV vaccine uptake was ‘flat’ from 2021 to 2023,” she says, citing an alarming recent report from the American Cancer Society. “The time to prevent suffering—and save lives from cervical and other HPV-related cancers—is now.”

The National HPV Conference: A Gathering of the Minds

Fortunately, Tamika and Cervivor aren’t the only ones prioritizing women’s health and tackling the ongoing challenges of HPV-related diseases. Over 400 attendees gathered with the same mission at the recent National HPV Conference in Indianapolis from April 15 to 17, 2025. Bringing together leading experts, healthcare professionals, researchers, policymakers, and survivors, the conference aimed to facilitate networking, collaboration, and resource sharing like “never done before” in the U.S. 

The National HPV Conference unites leaders toward their shared mission.

Representing Cervivor, Tamika took part in a panel discussion moderated by Dr. Rachel Katzenellenbogen and included other HPV cancer and disease survivors, including recurrent respiratory papillomatosis survivor, Kim McClellan, anal cancer survivor Lillian Kreppel and tonsil cancer survivor Jason Mendelsohn, that underscored the human impact of HPV-related cancers. Later, she and Community Engagement Liaison, Morgan Newman, MSW—a metastatic and recurrent cervical cancer survivor—co-presented with leading global expert and author Dr. Linda Eckert in a session titled “Beyond the Data,” highlighting the power of personal narratives in advocacy.

Cervivor’s founder, Tamika, shared her experience and expertise alongside other HPV cancer survivors, emphasizing the importance of the patient voice.

A few other program highlights from the National HPV Conference: 

  • Keynote Addresses: Dr. Susan Vadaparampil, Associate Center Director of Community Outreach, Engagement, and Equity at Moffitt Cancer Center, delivered a keynote about the importance of advocacy and gave a special shoutout to the Cervivor community. Dr. Michelle Fiscus, Chief Medical Officer for the Association of Immunization Managers and Co-Chair of the National HPV Vaccination Roundtable, also gave a dynamic presentation on the current state of vaccination.
  • Policy and Advocacy Discussions: Dr. Heather Brandt, Director of the St. Jude HPV Cancer Prevention Program, alongside Martha Nolan, Senior Policy Advisor at HealthyWomen, highlighted the critical role of legislative action and community engagement in HPV prevention efforts.
  • Storytelling Session: Sally Perkins, a professional storyteller and cancer survivor, demonstrated the transformative power of storytelling in advocacy.

What’s Next: Challenges and Opportunities

“HPV-related cancers are still a greater threat in the developing world, but it’s alarming that preventable cancers are increasing here in the U.S.—especially as funding from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and other public and private sources shrinks,” shares Morgan. 

Cervivor Morgan Newman at National HPV Conference
Cervivor’s Community Engagement Liaison Morgan explained how personal narratives can change minds.

Fresh from the National HPV Conference, Morgan outlines several pressing challenges facing the HPV prevention movement:

Vaccine Hesitancy: Despite strong scientific evidence that the HPV vaccine is both safe and effective—and promising news that a single dose may be enough in the future—misinformation and mistrust persist. Disinformation campaigns and cultural stigmas around vaccines continue to suppress vaccination rates, particularly in vulnerable communities. 

Policy and Funding: Sustained progress in HPV prevention relies heavily on legislative support and adequate funding. Cuts to public health budgets and shifting policy priorities threaten access to the HPV vaccine, routine screenings, and treatment services—especially in underserved areas. 

Healthcare Access: Longstanding disparities in healthcare access, insurance coverage, and provider availability mean that too many people—especially in rural, low-income, and marginalized communities—still face barriers to prevention and early detection. Expanding equitable access to care remains a critical need. 

Cervivor’s Response: Advocacy in Action

These challenges fuel our ongoing commitment to protect every person with a cervix from HPV-related cancers. Here’s how Cervivor is responding:

Cervivor School 2024 Graduates and Team Cervivor
Cervivor’s commitment to HPV prevention advocacy includes organizing the annual Cervivor School, where patients and survivors are equipped with the knowledge and tools to advocate for better women’s health care. Shown here is the graduating class of the 2024 school.
  • Enhanced Education Campaigns: Cervivor is tackling vaccine hesitancy through culturally relevant messaging and resources via initiatives such as the Cervical Cancer Summit and Cervivor School, which aims to equip participants with the knowledge and confidence to advocate for HPV prevention within their communities.
  • Empowering Survivors: Through our growing collection of Cervivor Stories, we amplify the lived experiences of patients and survivors to raise awareness, break stigma, and drive meaningful change.
  • Advocacy and Policy Engagement: Members of Cervivor’s team and community proudly contribute to national coalitions including the National HPV Roundtable, National Roundtable on Cervical Cancer, HealthyWomen HPV Coalition, HPV Cancers Alliance, and the St. Jude HPV Cancer Prevention Program, helping shape policies that support prevention, access, and care.
  • Addressing Disparities: Through grassroots, community-led conversations like DEI MeetUps, Black Cervix Chat, Cervivor Español, and international groups like Cervivor Africa and Cervivor Caribbean, we’re ensuring underrepresented voices are heard. (Visit our Events to see if there is a meetup or group that you’d like to join.) We also serve on advisory boards and research committees, championing patient advocacy in clinical trials, screening, and vaccination efforts. 

This Women’s Health Month, we urge our Cervivor community and its allies to recommit to action. Preventable HPV-related cancers shouldn’t still be claiming lives. While cancer doesn’t discriminate, the systems surrounding it often do. It’s time to break down the barriers that stand in the way of prevention, early detection, and treatment.

If you believe in Cervivor’s mission to end cervical cancer and ensure that no one has to face it alone, please consider making a tax-deductible contribution today. Your support helps us continue our lifesaving work.

Redefining Patient Advocacy in 2022

When I was originally diagnosed in 2018, I decided that I wanted to recover from surgery and move on with my life. I didn’t want to hear the word “cancer” anymore. But in April 2019, my life changed as I was informed I had a reoccurrence of cervical cancer and I decided I wanted to be a change agent.

I started with my community by sharing my story with those connected to me via social media but in 2021 I felt like it just wasn’t enough. After speaking with the Cervivor community, I decided to redefine my patient advocacy in 2022. 

Here’s a snapshot of how my 2022 has gone so far:

January 2022 I participated in an interview with NPR (National Public Radio) in reference to cervical cancer among Black women that was aired in Georgia and via their social media handles. I also joined the Texas HPV Coalition to raise awareness as it relates to the HPV vaccine. 

February 2022 I was a panelist for the Black Women and Cervical Cancer Webinar hosted by Cervivor. My children and I were also a part of a PSA for HPV Awareness Day through the National HPV Vaccination Roundtable and Association of Immunization Managers that was featured on television and in physician’s offices in Tennessee and also via their social media handles.

March 2022 I completed volunteer training with the American Cancer Society which allows me to share my story locally through ACS CAN. I also completed a radio interview with Zakiya Jenkins who is based in Iowa in reference to cervical cancer in the African American communities. This interview was aired in Iowa and on Ms. Jenkins’ social media handles.

April 2022 I spoke at the Women of Color, Inc. brunch as it relates to cervical cancer among Black women, prevention, and early detection. I also spoke at YES Prep secondary school through the American Cancer Society where I shared my story and encouraged families to research the HPV vaccine.

May 2022 I spoke at Green Valley Elementary school through the American Cancer Society where I shared my story and encouraged families to research the HPV vaccine for their children. I was also chosen to be a Cervix committee Patient Advocate through NRG Oncology.

June 2022 I spoke at the HPV forum with the American Cancer Society, shared my story at a National Cancer Survivor’s Day event in Charleston, SC, and was a panelist for the Tigerlily Listening Summit powered by Labcorb, in which I shared my story and shared my experience as a patient including the disparities among African American women.

As a result, the last six months have blown my mind and have shown me just how much our stories have the power to create change. I encourage all of you to share your story. Be a change agent for this community and get active because you can redefine your advocacy in 2022!

Kimberly is the 2022 Cervivor Rising Star recipient, a joy-sparking, active member of the Cervivor community who is moving mountains. Thank you for all you are doing to end cervical cancer!