Breaking the Silence: Cervical Cancer Awareness in the Hispanic Community

As Hispanic Heritage Month ends, I find myself reflecting not just on our vibrant culture and history but also on an issue that deeply affects our community—cervical cancer. This preventable disease continues to claim the lives of too many Latinas, both in the United States and across Latin America. As a survivor, advocate, and member of the Cervivor community, this is personal to me, and it’s personal to so many of us.

Cervivor Español members during the 2024 Communities of Color Cervivor Care’s community outreach day

Cervical cancer is one of the few cancers that can be prevented through vaccines and regular screenings like Pap tests and HPV tests. Yet, Hispanic women in the U.S. face alarming disparities when it comes to this disease. We are diagnosed with cervical cancer at higher rates than non-Hispanic women and are more likely to die from it. The reasons for these inequities are complex, but they are deeply rooted in unequal access to healthcare, language barriers, lack of information, and cultural stigmas.

The Disparities We Face

Did you know that Hispanic women in the U.S. are 40% more likely to be diagnosed with cervical cancer than non-Hispanic white women? And tragically, we are 26% more likely to die from it. This isn’t because the disease is more aggressive in our community—it’s because many of us aren’t getting the preventive care we need. Whether it’s due to lack of insurance, language barriers, or even the stigma surrounding gynecological health, too many Latinas are falling through the cracks.

Gilma Pereda, a fellow Cervivor Ambassador, puts it perfectly: “Cervical cancer affects many Latinxs in the U.S. This illness is pretty much preventable with vaccination and regular screenings. Still, many people don’t have enough information to care for their health properly.” 

Patti Murrillo-Casa, another Cervivor Ambassador, emphasizes the importance of advocacy: “It gives me the opportunity to give a voice to the voiceless, especially those who are underrepresented.” 

This lack of information and access to care is something we must change—not just for ourselves, but for future generations. Our community faces unique challenges, and many of us don’t feel comfortable talking about things like HPV or cervical cancer. But these conversations are crucial if we want to save lives. Our mission is clear: we need to bring education and awareness to every corner of our community, in every language, and through every platform.

The Power of Prevention

What makes this so heartbreaking is that cervical cancer is largely preventable. The HPV vaccine can protect against the virus that causes cervical cancer, and regular Pap tests and HPV tests can catch abnormal cells before they become cancerous. Yet, many women in our community don’t know this. The lack of education and language barriers are major issues that prevent the information from getting out, compounded by the stigma in our community.

Yvette Torres, shares: “I advocate because I’m still here!! After being diagnosed 11 years ago, I want to help end cervical cancer and educate others by sharing my story.” 

Dulcely Tavarez brings a different perspective to this: “I promote cervical cancer prevention to help ensure that other women can maintain their chances of motherhood.” 

This passion and determination reflect the heart of our advocacy. We are survivors, and we share our stories because we don’t want anyone else to feel alone on this journey. For many women, cervical cancer doesn’t just threaten their lives—it can also take away their ability to have children. These words remind us of what’s at stake.

Ending the Stigma

One of the biggest barriers we face in the Hispanic community is the stigma around cervical cancer and HPV. Many of us grew up in households where talking about sexual health was taboo, and for some, the idea of getting an HPV vaccine or a Pap test feels uncomfortable or even shameful. But here’s the truth: HPV is incredibly common, and getting tested or vaccinated isn’t something to be ashamed of—it’s a form of self-care, a way to protect yourself and your loved ones.

Karla Chavez

I’ve experienced this firsthand. As a survivor, I’ve seen the way stigma and fear can prevent women from getting the care they need. But I’ve also seen the power of community, of sharing our stories and breaking the silence. That’s why I advocate: because I don’t want my story to repeat itself in others. I don’t want anyone to feel alone.

A Call to Action

So, what can we do? First and foremost, if you have a cervix, make sure you’re getting your regular cervical cancer screenings. These screenings can literally save your life. The HPV vaccine is safe, effective, and a powerful tool in preventing cervical cancer. Talk to your doctor about getting vaccinated.

For healthcare providers, we need you to help break down the barriers that prevent our community from accessing care. Provide information in Spanish, offer culturally sensitive care, and work to make sure that every woman—regardless of her background—feels safe and empowered to take control of her health.

And for everyone else, let’s end the stigma. Talk about cervical cancer. Talk about HPV. Share your story or information with your friends, your family, and your community. The more we normalize these conversations, the more lives we can save.

KARLA CHÁVEZ, a civil engineer and amigurumi enthusiast from Honduras, is a seven-year cervical and thyroid cancer survivor and proud ostomate. As a Cervivor Ambassador and co-lead of the Cervivor Español community, Karla is dedicated to making a difference for women both in her country and globally. She was honored with the 2020 Brittany Wagner Social Media Advocacy Award and was named a Cervivor Champion in 2022. Karla represents Cervivor, Inc. on the World Health Organization (WHO)’s Advisory Panel for Living Recommendations and Systematic Reviews on Screening and Treatment to Prevent Cervical Cancer.

Cervivor School 2024: Our 10th Year of Patient Advocate Training Success

Marking the 10th anniversary of the first Cervivor School in New York City in 2014, this year’s annual patient advocate training program was a testament to Cervivor’s commitment to empowering patients and survivors to have a voice in their own health. It also solidified Cervivor School’s reputation as a top-tier program that has mobilized advocates worldwide.

The cause colors’ teal and white were on full display throughout the three-day event held in Minneapolis from September 12 to 14. More than 45 attendees – including Cervivor Ambassadors, valued industry sponsors, distinguished speakers, and, of course, the Cervivor School class of 2024 – dyed their hair, painted their nails, and coordinated their outfits to demonstrate their loud-and-proud dedication to Cervivor’s mission: ending cervical cancer through patient advocacy now.

By the end, this year’s school was deemed a complete success, with attendees creating meaningful connections and gaining an extensive education – or a refresher – on the latest initiatives and information needed to make the most impact with our advocacy work. This continued success is due to the tireless dedication of Founder and Chief Visionary Tamika Felder, whose unwavering commitment has driven both the program’s impact and longevity. 

Here’s what happened at Cervivor School 2024.

Cervivor School Officially Opens

On Thursday, the official Welcome Reception began at the downtown W Minneapolis – The Foshay, where the weekend’s patient advocate training activities took place. Attendees, dressed to impress, mingled over food and drinks and were welcomed by Cervivor’s founder Tamika, a 23-year cervical cancer survivor herself.

The following morning, Tamika kicked things off with a powerful presentation about her “why” – the driving force behind her patient advocacy and the reason she founded Cervivor almost 20 years ago. She cited a quote from Dr. Heather Palmer that resonated deeply with the group, garnering many knowing nods: “Cancer is a gift wrapped in barbed wire.”

Among the day’s speakers: 

  • Mallory Erickson, fundraising expert and host of the “What the Fundraising” podcast (featuring Tamika in an early episode!), led a session introduced by Cervivor Ambassador Karen North, who shared some of her fundraising successes including a creative and profitable drag bingo event she organized. 
  • Roshanda Pratt, acclaimed motivational speaker, book author, and media maven of “The Ro Show Live,” followed with a hilarious and insightful presentation on strategic storytelling. She highlighted why sharing our survivor stories is vital: It connects us, prompts action, and provides context. 
  • Members of Team Cervivor were interspersed throughout the day including Community Liaison Morgan Newman, who thoroughly unpacked Cervivor’s mission and patient advocacy approach, and Lead Cervivor Ambassador Carol Lacey, who moderated a panel of Cervivor Ambassadors – Lindsay Gullatte-Lee, Christy Chambers, and Claudia Pérez-Favela.

Day 2’s official programming concluded with an open discussion, allowing attendees to reflect on the emotional journey of survivorship.

Diving Into the Data

The final day of the intensive patient advocate training program focused on learning about ongoing initiatives from pharmaceutical companies, researchers, the federal government, as well as legislative efforts. The goal? Connect the Cervivor School attendees to the broader global advocacy work that still lies ahead.

Among the day’s speakers: 

Additionally, Cervivor community members participated in thought-provoking panels, including one moderated by our DEI chief Kimberly Williams with Karla Chávez and Claudia Pérez-Favela, aimed at dismantling the damaging stigma that prevents too many people from getting the care and support they deserve. Cervivor Ambassadors Tiera Wade, Emily Hoffman, and Anne Zajic also shared how they’ve harnessed their unique strengths and perspectives to advocate effectively through Cervivor.

Rewarding Cervivor’s Outstanding Advocates

Cervivor School concluded with a momentous graduation ceremony, followed by a special recognition ceremony, where five outstanding individuals were honored for their exceptional dedication to Cervivor’s mission to end cervical cancer. Our founder Tamika proudly presented these remarkable individuals with awards, acknowledging their tireless efforts in spreading awareness, supporting survivors, and advancing the Cervivor mission. (Read more about the patient advocacy award winners.) This milestone marks the beginning of a new chapter for these empowered advocates, making a lasting impact in their communities. 

Thank You Again to Our Sponsors, Speakers, and Supporters

This year’s Cervivor School was made possible by the generous support of Hologic, which provided beautiful and useful goodie bags for all attendees, as well as our sponsors Pfizer, Genmab, Genentech, BD, and Roche. We also owe a heartfelt thank you to the speakers who dedicated their time and expertise throughout the weekend.

We’d also like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to the generous companies and individuals who helped make Cervivor School 2024 an empowering experience for our attendees. Special thanks to The Business Women’s Circle (BWC), led by Lani Basa, for cultivating a supportive community that fuels growth and collaboration, as well as Heather Bantle, Executive & Transitions Coach, for her expertise in guiding individuals through life’s challenges. Additionally, we thank WAY the Label for their sustainable accessories, and KickIt Pajamas for providing their cozy, functional, and stylish KickIt socks that bring warmth and comfort to cancer patients. 

Want to Attend Cervivor School in the Future? 

To secure your seat at one of Cervivor’s future patient advocate training programs, we encourage you to commit to cervical cancer patient advocacy and expanding the Cervivor Footprint. Visit our Cervivor School page to sign up for updates, or subscribe to our newsletter by scrolling to the bottom of this page – and be the first to know about our important initiatives!