Latina Cervivor Stories: Changing the Narrative about Cervical Cancer in Hispanic Communities This Hispanic Heritage Month

By Kyle Minnis, Cervivor Communications Assistant

Each year, Hispanic Heritage Month (September 15 to October 15) honors the contributions and resilience of the more than 65 million Hispanic Americans who shape our nation’s culture, economy, and communities. It’s also an important opportunity to highlight persistent health disparities—particularly in cervical cancer prevention and treatment, which disproportionately affects Latina women.

Composite image of three Latina cervical cancer survivors with teal text: "LATINA SURVIVORS CHANGING THE NARRATIVE ON CERVICAL CANCER." The image highlights representation and advocacy for cervical cancer in Hispanic communities.

Latinas are 43% more likely to be diagnosed with cervical cancer than non-Hispanic white women, and their risk of dying from it is 25 to 50% higher, according to the American Cancer Society (ACS). They receive significantly fewer Pap tests and are less likely to follow up on abnormal results, reports the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Barriers to care include stigma and silence around “below-the-belt” cancers, language differences, insurance gaps, transportation challenges, and inflexible work schedules, all of which delay diagnosis and limit access to lifesaving interventions.

Patient navigators like Nancy Peña—Founder and Director of Navegación de Pacientes Internacional (NPI), which trains Spanish-speaking clinical advocates across the U.S. and Latin America—champion bilingual education and culturally competent care, explaining, “Native-language navigation improves informed consent, adherence, and satisfaction; reduces errors and no-shows; and honors dignity.”

Bilingual clinical patient navigator Nancy Peña spoke to attendees at the 2024 Cervical Cancer Summit.

HPV vaccine uptake among Hispanic youth and young adults also remains low. While 63% of U.S. adolescents ages 13 to 17 are up to date on the full series, Hispanic adults ages 18 to 26 lag behind: According to the latest National Health Interview Survey, only 36% had received at least one dose, and just 21.5% had completed the full series—far below the national goal of 80% two-dose completion by age 15.

As Cervivor has reported, in many traditional households—Hispanic or otherwise—the vaccine is still seen to promote promiscuity. “It’s so important to speak openly with our children about cervical cancer and the HPV vaccine,” says cervical cancer survivor Maritza Manjarrez, a Cervivor Español member who was raised in a Mexican family. “Vaccinating our youth doesn’t mean we’re giving them permission to have sex—it means we’re protecting them from a cancer that can develop later in life.”

Cervivor’s mission is to help eliminate cervical cancer while also lifting survivors from isolation, providing community and education, and empowering those affected to become advocates. This Hispanic Heritage Month, we celebrate our Latina community members—including Maritza, Dulcely Tavarez, Yvette Torres, and many more—by amplifying their stories and strength. Their voices demonstrate what it means to live beyond cervical cancer while advocating for health equity and compassion.

Maritza Manjarrez: Breaking the Silence

Maritza recently graduated from Cervivor School 2025.

“My cervical cancer journey has been especially difficult as a Latina. The stigma surrounding HPV and cervical cancer in our community has played a huge role in that,” says Maritza, who was diagnosed with metastatic squamous cell carcinoma at age 34. “Growing up Mexican meant you didn’t talk openly about topics like this. Keeping what was considered ‘private information’ to myself made it very hard to find help, support groups, or even basic information.”

That silence meant it took Maritza years to find Cervivor and feel comfortable sharing her story. “When asked what type of cancer I had, I felt a sense of shame and embarrassment to answer cervical cancer,” she recalls. “I believe this stigma plays a big role in the statistics. It makes me sad and worried, because if we don’t increase advocacy, these numbers are not going to change. Too many of our women are dying from this preventable disease.”

Dulcely Tavarez: Shattered Dreams, Renewed Fire

Dulcely Tavarez

Dulcely describes being in her early twenties, putting her own health last while caring for others, a struggle familiar to many Latinas. In April 2015, she finally saw a doctor about her irregular menstrual cycles, but was bounced between providers before receiving a cervical cancer diagnosis. “‘Later’ almost cost me everything. By the time I was diagnosed, the treatment I needed was life-saving but meant I could never carry a child.”

Dulcely’s family surrounded her with care and love, but it sometimes intensified her grief and isolation. “In our community, family and children are seen as such a natural part of life that it’s hard to explain the emptiness when that dream is taken away. Even when they were trying to comfort me, sometimes I felt alone in those emotions.”

She found healing in Cervivor. “When I looked for stories that reflected my own—young, Latina, facing cancer and fertility loss—I couldn’t find them. And that loneliness can be crushing. We need to see ourselves in these campaigns, in our own language, in ways that reflect our values and struggles. Representation is not just about visibility—it’s about saving lives and healing hearts.”

Thanks to her involvement with Cervivor, Dulcely became the first-ever recipient of the Cervivor Baby Gift Fund at this January’s 2025 Cervical Cancer Summit. The award supports cervical cancer survivors pursuing alternative paths to motherhood and accepts donations from $10 to $50,000.

Dulcely gets a hug—after receiving the first-ever Cervivor Baby Gift Fund—from Cervivor Founder and Chief Visionary Tamika Felder at the 2025 Cervical Cancer Summit.

Yvette Torres: From Shame to Advocacy

Yvette Torres

Yvette’s cancer journey began with an unsympathetic, unprofessional diagnosis. “The doctor asked, ‘Why did I wait so long?’ Still in shock, I did not answer that callous question,” she recalls. At 42, she and her husband had been hoping for another child so their youngest son could have a closer-in-age sibling—but that hope ended with a biopsy, performed on her son’s 4th birthday, that confirmed cervical cancer in 2013. She remembers the OB/GYN telling her it “didn’t look good,” that it was most likely cancer, and later saying it was a “good thing I already had two children,” since treatment would likely take away her chance to have more.

This cold medical treatment reinforced how stigma and cultural silence can delay women from seeking care. Yvette shares, “I hid. I felt ashamed. I didn’t want to talk about it because that’s what I learned growing up—we didn’t talk about below-the-belt issues. My mother did teach me the importance of going to the gynecologist. However, I did not feel comfortable talking about details, differences, or changes in my body.” Her experience echoes what many Cervivor Español members describe: how misconceptions about HPV, reluctance to discuss gynecologic cancers, and language barriers all contribute to lower screening and vaccination rates.

For Yvette, community was the turning point. “I found Cervivor during COVID, when isolation made everything feel even worse.” Through Cervivor Español, she gained the confidence to speak out in Spanish, even though she hadn’t grown up fluent, and now distributes bilingual prevention materials. “Now, I celebrate and embrace my Black and Hispanic identity by advocating for these communities and helping women not feel ashamed by sharing my story,” says Yvette, a 2023 Cervivor Champion and recent top Tell 20, Give 20 fundraiser, who also mobilized her students through a school workplace drive to spread awareness.

Join the Movement to End Cervical Cancer Disparities in Hispanic Communities

Latinas make up 20% of the U.S. population, and their stories of surviving cancer, overcoming setbacks, and celebrating successes deserve to be heard—not just during Hispanic Heritage Month. Whether navigating care in a new language, confronting cultural silence around cancer, or redefining family and identity after treatment, Latina Cervivors show that community and compassion can transform what’s possible.

To help reduce cervical cancer diagnoses and improve outcomes for Hispanic individuals with a cervix, take action today by:

  • Sharing your Cervivor Story to put a face on a cancer that is too often hidden or hushed.

  • Supporting Cervivor’s 20th-year Tell 20, Give 20 campaign to fund culturally relevant programming and Cervivor Español support group (and sign up for next month’s event).

  • Advocating for bilingual programs—like Nancy Peña’s NPI patient navigators—that help create more equitable care pathways.

  • Championing advocacy groups such as the ACSí Se Puede Hispanic/Latino Advocacy Alliance, which amplify voices and expand access for Spanish-speaking communities.

  • Using your voice. If you speak Spanish—whether fluently or conversationally—you can support those facing language barriers. Talk with them about the life-saving benefits of HPV vaccination, regular screenings, and timely follow-ups.

Lastly, honor the voices of Maritza, Dulcely, and Yvette—and so many others—by making this Hispanic Heritage Month a catalyst for lasting change. As Dulcely reminds us:

“Please don’t wait. Don’t push your health to the bottom of the list the way I did… To the mothers—protect your children with the HPV vaccine. It’s an act of love. To my fellow women—know your worth, use your voice, and never stop fighting for answers.”

If you found this blog post helpful, please share it with friends or family members. You may just save a life. Questions? Contact us at [email protected].

About the Author

The image is a portrait of a young man with dark skin and short, curly black hair. He is wearing a blue collared shirt and black-framed glasses, and is smiling at the camera.
The man has dark skin and short, curly black hair.
His hair is cut close to his head, with a slight fade at the sides.
His eyebrows are thick and well-groomed.
He is wearing a blue collared shirt.
The shirt is a medium blue color and appears to be made of a lightweight material.
It has a relaxed fit and is buttoned up to the top.
He is also wearing black-framed glasses.
The frames are rectangular in shape and have a subtle curve at the temples.
The lenses are clear and do not appear to have any tint or coating.
The man is smiling at the camera.
His smile is wide and genuine, showing off his white teeth.
His eyes are crinkled at the corners, giving him a friendly and approachable appearance.
The background of the image is a plain gray color.
The gray is a medium tone, neither too light nor too dark.
It provides a neutral backdrop that allows the subject to stand out.
Overall, the image presents a friendly and approachable young man who appears to be confident and comfortable in front of the camera

Kyle Minnis is a senior studying Strategic Communications at the University of Kansas. He is currently serving as Cervivor’s Communications Assistant.

What Is Patient Advocacy? And Why It’s Critical in Cervical Cancer Care

By Kyle Minnis, Cervivor Communications Assistant

Peer-led advocacy isn’t just powerful—it’s transformative. According to the National Library of Medicine, programs like Cervivor School—Cervivor’s highly regarded ambassador training program—have quadrupled cervical cancer screening rates in some underserved communities.

Peer and patient advocates provide support to those undergoing treatment, help reduce the stigma of cervical cancer and other conditions, and educate people about prevention and early detection. Perhaps most importantly, they improve survival outcomes. Their work ensures patients are seen and heard while also making the healthcare system more effective and equitable.

To mark National Patient Advocacy Day (August 19), we’re diving into what patient advocacy is, its various forms, and how it has shaped cancer care since the 1950s, when patients and families first began speaking out.

We’ll also celebrate the impact of advocates in our Cervivor community—from everyday actions to global initiatives—and share ways you can get involved in this life-saving work. 

The image is a collage of four photos of women, with a logo in the middle. The logo is white with a teal border and says "NATIONAL PATIENT ADVOCACY DAY" in teal letters. Below that, it says "cervivor" in bigger teal letters, and "informed. empowered. alive." in smaller black letters.
Here's what's in the image:
Top Left Photo:
A woman with long black hair and glasses is shown from the chest up.
She's wearing a green jacket over a white shirt and has a name tag on her left lapel.
The background is a brick wall.
Top Right Photo:
A woman with short pink hair is shown from the chest up.
She's wearing a dark blue shirt and a thin gold necklace.
The background is blurry, but it looks like she's outside.
Bottom Left Photo:
A woman with medium-length brown hair and red glasses is shown from the chest up.
She's wearing a black and white patterned top and has a colorful lei around her neck.
The background is a gray wall.
Bottom Right Photo:
A woman with curly black hair is shown from the chest up.
She's wearing a maroon shirt and a silver necklace.
The background is white.
The image is likely promoting National Patient Advocacy Day, which might be related to cervical cancer awareness because of the "cervivor" logo.

What Is Patient Advocacy in Cancer Care?

First, let’s define what patient advocates do. 

Clinical patient advocates—also called navigators or representatives—help patients understand their diagnosis and options, schedule and keep appointments, navigate insurance, secure resources like transportation or childcare, and coordinate care among multiple providers. Their core principle is to listen to, inform, and empower patients to actively participate in their care.

“A patient navigator is the person who makes the healthcare system accessible,” explains certified navigator Nancy Peña, OPN-CG, CMI, BA, who spent more than a decade in gynecologic oncology clinics at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute (DFCI) and Brigham and Women’s Hospital (BWH). “We keep the care plan on track, the information clear, and the patient’s goals at the center. The navigator is the bridge between the patient and the medical team.”

The image shows a woman standing in front of a large sign that reads "RADIO DABANG 99.5 FM."
Here's what's in the image:
The woman is wearing:
A black graphic t-shirt with a colorful design and the word "HOPE" in teal letters
White pants
Teal sneakers
Her hair is styled in a short, curly updo with red highlights
She's smiling and has her left hand on her hip
The sign behind her features:
A cityscape at night with many lit-up buildings
The words "RADIO DABANG 99.5 FM" in large letters, with "RADIO" in red and the rest in white and gray
The floor is made of gray carpeting with a striped pattern
The image appears to be a promotional photo for a radio station, possibly taken in a studio or office. The woman may be a DJ, host, or representative of the station.
Sharica at the cervical cancer walk she organized with local radio support.

Meanwhile, nonclinical advocates—often survivors themselves—focus on building trust, hope, and community connection. Cervivor community member Sharica Lewis, diagnosed with Stage IB2 cervical cancer at age 35 in 2015, shares her journey publicly on Facebook to inspire others.

“Advocacy gives me the opportunity to share my story and support someone who may be struggling to ask questions or speak up,” says Sharica, who graduated from Cervivor School Minneapolis last year and launched her advocacy work by organizing a local cervical cancer awareness walk in her Texas town.

Nancy, who is also the Founder and Director of Navegación de Pacientes Internacional (NPI)—which trains clinical and nonclinical patient advocates in Spanish across the U.S. and Latin America—says the two types of advocates complement each other. Their goal: helping patients navigate the healthcare system while addressing emotional, cultural, and financial barriers to ensure high-quality care for all.

How Patient Advocacy Improves Cervical Cancer Outcomes

Recent studies and national summits have shown that peer and patient advocates significantly increase cervical cancer awareness and prevention—as noted above, sometimes increasing screening rates by up to four times. 

Why does this matter? Regular cervical cancer screenings have cut incidence and mortality by more than 50% over the past several decades, largely thanks to the Pap test, according to the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACSCAN). Yet diagnoses in women aged 30 to 44 rose about 1.7% annually from 2012 to 2019, likely due to lower screening rates and gaps in prevention outreach, reports the American Cancer Society (ACS). These numbers make one thing clear: Screening saves lives—and advocates are essential to keeping it top of mind.

Effective hospital patient navigation programs can also have a measurable impact. “At DFCI/BWH, we reduced the no-show rate [for appointments] from 49% to 29% in the first five years,” says Nancy. “This success was possible through staff collaboration, consistent patient education, and multi-lingual resources that ensure every woman knows her next step.”

How Patient Advocacy Helps Close Healthcare Disparities

Here are some sobering facts: In the U.S., Black women are twice as likely—and women living in poverty four times as likely—to die from cervical cancer compared to white women. American Indian and Alaska Native women face two to three times higher mortality, while rural women are more likely to be diagnosed late and die from the disease. 

These disparities underscore the vital role patient advocates play in closing gaps in care and ensuring prevention and treatment reach those who need it most.

Patient advocacy organizations like Cervivor and Nancy’s multilingual, multinational NPI respond to these challenges by offering localized, culturally competent support, adapted education, and strong policy engagement. They earn trust by meeting women where they are and truly listening to their needs—something clinics alone can’t always do.

The image depicts a woman standing at a podium on a stage, addressing an audience. The stage is set with a large screen behind her, displaying a presentation slide titled "Speaker Spotlight" in blue text. Below the title, a circular photo of the speaker, Nancy Peña, is accompanied by her name and credentials in blue text, as well as her title and organization in smaller blue text. The slide's subtitle, "Rising Above Cultural Stigmas and Health Equity," is written in red text.
Certified patient advocate Nancy speaks to the audience at the 2024 Cervical Cancer Summit Powered by Cervivor, Inc.

Both clinical and nonclinical are irreplaceable for designing inclusive cancer care. As Nancy explains: “Native-language navigation improves informed consent, adherence, and satisfaction; reduces errors and no-shows; and honors dignity. When a woman can understand her options and feel supported, outcomes improve—and families and communities feel the difference.”

Advocacy in Action: Sharing Cervical Cancer Survivor Stories

Honduran native Karla Chavez—a Cervivor Ambassador and co-leader of the Cervivor Español community—was diagnosed with Stage II cervical cancer at age 34 in 2017. After completing treatment, she says Cervivor was a “lifeline.”

“Attending Cervivor School in 2019 gave me the knowledge, confidence, and community I needed to take my advocacy to another level,” says Karla. “They provided training, resources, and a network of incredible survivors who inspire me daily.”

Since then, the award-winning advocate has participated in outreach through the 2024 Communities of Color Advocacy Training Retreat and delivered remarks during last year’s Cervical Cancer Elimination Day of Action (November 17) at a World Health Organization–hosted webinar.

The image depicts a group of people gathered outside a storefront, with one woman prominently wearing a white t-shirt featuring the text "cervivor Cares" in blue and red. The scene appears to be a promotional or awareness event, possibly related to cervical cancer or women's health.
Key Elements:
A woman in the center of the image is wearing a white t-shirt with the text "cervivor Cares" printed on it.
She is holding a pamphlet and engaging in conversation with another woman.
The surrounding individuals are also dressed casually, suggesting an informal gathering.
The storefront behind them features a sign reading "SALLY Beauty," indicating that the event is taking place outside a beauty supply store.
Karla in action during community outreach in Cleveland, OH, at last year’s Communities of Color Advocacy Training Retreat.

Similarly, Cervivor Ambassador Emily Hoffman—diagnosed with Stage II cervical cancer and treated in 2013—has made advocacy a central part of her life. Her “airplane advocacy”—simple, one-on-one conversations, often sparked by the HPV button she wears—can be just as impactful as speaking at larger events, like her home state’s Iowa Vaccination Summit, where she presented last September.

Emily also champions cancer registries, which are essential for improving patient outcomes and securing public health funding. In 2020, she became a certified cancer registrar, sharing, “Knowing my work could impact cancer advocacy, policy, and research—that’s the fulfillment I was looking for.”

The image depicts a group of women seated in a conference room, with five women prominently featured on the right side of the frame. They are all wearing name tags and appear to be engaged in a discussion or presentation.
The women are dressed in casual attire, with some wearing blazers or cardigans over their shirts.
The woman on the far left has short gray hair and is wearing a black blazer over a white blouse with a floral pattern.
The second woman from the left has short blonde hair and is wearing a black blazer over a white t-shirt with blue and red writing.
The third woman from the left has short blonde hair with multicolored highlights and is wearing a gray cardigan over a dark blue shirt.
The fourth woman from the left has dark hair pulled back and is wearing a gray cardigan over a gray t-shirt with red writing that reads "IOWA NEEDS VACCINES."
The woman on the far right has dark hair pulled back and is wearing a black hoodie over a gray shirt.
In the foreground, several other women are seated at tables, facing the five women on the right.
The background of the image features large windows that allow natural light to enter the room and provide a view of the outside environment.
The overall atmosphere of the image suggests a professional or educational setting, possibly a conference or workshop.
Emily (center) shared her lived experience and advocacy insights at the 2024 Iowa Immunization Summit alongside Cervivor’s Community Engagement Liaison, fellow Iowan Morgan Newman (second from left).

How to Get Involved in Patient Advocacy

Patient advocacy is more important than ever. Public health initiatives—including the CDC’s National Program of Cancer Registries (NPCR), which has helped reduce U.S. cancer death rates by 34% since 1991—face increasing threats.

If getting into patient or survivor advocacy feels overwhelming, take inspiration and advice from these Cervivor community members. 

“Start small and start from the heart,” says Karla. “At first, I didn’t know how to share my story—I was still processing everything I had gone through. What motivated me was the feeling of isolation. I didn’t know anyone else who had experienced what I had. I wanted to talk to someone and not feel alone.”

Sharica takes a similar approach: “My tag line is, ‘Let’s start the conversation!’” she says. “Cervivor has empowered me by giving me a community that understands me and everything that I’ve been through. Any opportunity I get to advocate, I’m grateful for it. I get excited when I post on social media and a parent comments that they had their child vaccinated.”

The image depicts a group of five women standing together, posing for a photograph in front of a vibrant balloon backdrop. The women are dressed in various outfits, with the central figure holding a certificate.
The woman on the far left is attired in a black cardigan and blue jeans.
The second woman from the left wears a white dress.
The third woman, positioned centrally, holds a certificate and is dressed in a patterned dress.
The fourth woman from the left is wearing a black top and patterned pants.
The woman on the far right is dressed in a teal dress.
The background features a wall adorned with balloons in shades of white, blue, and silver, accompanied by white flowers. A projector screen is visible on the right side of the image, displaying a logo and the text "IT'S GRADUATION TIME!" in blue letters. The floor is composed of dark tiles arranged in a geometric pattern.
The overall atmosphere of the image suggests that the women are celebrating a special occasion or achievement, as indicated by the certificate being held by the central figure.
Sharica proudly displays her 2024 Cervivor School certificate of completion, surrounded by Team Cervivor, including Founder and Chief Visionary Tamika Felder (far right).

Ready to get involved? Here’s how: 

  • Join a support group or peer network like Cervivor, which hosts monthly virtual meetups and other opportunities to connect with fellow survivors.
  • Attend advocacy trainings through programs like Cervivor School. (Applications sign up Friday, August 22, so sign up now for next month’s Kansas City training!)
  • Share your Cervivor Story—on social media, in your community, or at local events.
  • Volunteer for patient- or survivor-led initiatives.
  • Donate to organizations like Cervivor that empower patient advocates. (Our Tell 20, Give 20 fundraising campaign is ongoing—learn how to join and help save lives!)
  • Contact policymakers and lend your voice to legislative efforts that expand access to prevention, treatment, and care.

As patient navigation and advocacy continue to grow—with expanded training, certification programs, multilingual initiatives, and recognition by hospitals and public agencies—there’s hope that equitable care will become the norm, not the exception.

Nancy sums up the work well: “Navigation is a practical expression of equity.”

Together—by sharing stories, showing up for each other, and pushing for change—patient advocates are leading the way toward ending cervical cancer and building a future defined by equity, support, and survivor strength.

Honor National Patient Advocacy Day by sharing this post and joining the mission to end cervical cancer!

About the Author

The image is a portrait of a young man with dark skin and short, curly black hair. He is wearing a blue collared shirt and black-framed glasses, and is smiling at the camera.
The man has dark skin and short, curly black hair.
His hair is cut close to his head, with a slight fade at the sides.
His eyebrows are thick and well-groomed.
He is wearing a blue collared shirt.
The shirt is a medium blue color and appears to be made of a lightweight material.
It has a relaxed fit and is buttoned up to the top.
He is also wearing black-framed glasses.
The frames are rectangular in shape and have a subtle curve at the temples.
The lenses are clear and do not appear to have any tint or coating.
The man is smiling at the camera.
His smile is wide and genuine, showing off his white teeth.
His eyes are crinkled at the corners, giving him a friendly and approachable appearance.
The background of the image is a plain gray color.
The gray is a medium tone, neither too light nor too dark.
It provides a neutral backdrop that allows the subject to stand out.
Overall, the image presents a friendly and approachable young man who appears to be confident and comfortable in front of the camera

Kyle Minnis is a senior studying Strategic Communications at the University of Kansas. He is currently serving as Cervivor’s Communications Assistant.