Honduras

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.

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.” 

Gilma Pereda
Patti Murillo-Casa

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.” 

Yvette Torres
Dulcely Tavarez

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.