A mother's cervical cancer highlights the link between HPV and certain cancers and emphasizes the importance of preventive care
Sponsored by and provided by Merck
In 2016, like many single parents, Gilma P. was juggling a hectic work life and caring for her teenage daughter when she learned she had HPV-related cervical cancer after an abnormal Pap smear. "I was completely numb," says Gilma, as she didn't know that HPV could progress into something so serious.
Human papillomavirus (HPV) is more common than you might think. [1] For most, HPV clears on its own, but for those who don't clear the virus, it can lead to certain cancers and diseases later in life. [2,3,4,5] According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), tens of thousands of people in the United States were diagnosed with certain HPV-related cancers each year from 2016-2020. [6] And like it was for Gilma, about 91% of cervical cancers are associated with HPV. [7]
Following her first diagnosis, Gilma underwent a successful surgery and additional treatment. Gilma thought she had beat the cancer. But then the pandemic hit, and she skipped a Pap smear. When she finally went to the doctor after months of experiencing pain, she was told that the cancer had come back and spread throughout her body, including in her lungs and bones. After several rounds of treatment, she is now in remission. "I really thought I was going to die," says Gilma, "but it's a miracle and I want to use this opportunity to pursue my personal interests, including educating others about HPV and its link to certain cancers."
Gilma's experience with HPV-related cervical cancer led her to think about what she could do to help protect her daughter from something similar. Shortly after her first diagnosis, Gilma spoke with her daughter's pediatrician about the HPV vaccine and decided to have her daughter vaccinated so she wouldn't have to experience what Gilma went through. As a mother and cancer survivor, she is passionate about encouraging parents to learn and understand the risks of HPV and the proactive measures that can be taken to help protect their adolescent's health later in life.
Here are Gilma's top three tips for parents when it comes to HPV:
- Understand the Risks of HPV, Related Cancers, and Early Prevention: HPV often has no visible signs or symptoms, and individuals are often unaware of HPV and its link to certain cancers later in life. [5,8,9] For most, HPV clears on its own, but for those who don't clear the virus, it can lead to certain cancers and diseases later in life. [2,3,4,5] The CDC notes that HPV vaccination, a type of prevention against certain HPV-related cancers, may begin at age nine, and recommends routine adolescent HPV vaccination at ages 11-12. [5,10] "I had heard about HPV, but I didn't know about its link to certain cancers before I was diagnosed in 2016," says Gilma. "Having the right information is crucial, and as parents we need to be proactively discussing HPV vaccination with our children's doctors to learn more about it."
- Prioritize Wellness Visits: While it can be easy to push routine check-ups to the bottom of the to-do list when life gets hectic, nothing is more important than one's health. "From my experience, my daughter has seen firsthand the importance of not skipping a routine check-up," says Gilma. Annual wellness visits help ensure that your adolescent is healthy, well-informed, and prepared to make positive health choices as they move toward adulthood. [11] Regular check-ups support not only physical health, but also emotional, social, and mental well-being. [11] In addition, they provide a great opportunity to continue discussions with your child's pediatrician about healthy habits, such as routine preventive care, including screenings and vaccination. [11]
- Foster an Open Dialogue: Maintaining open communication and educating your adolescent about HPV, how it is transmitted, and its potential health effects is fundamental. [2] It's important to discuss with your child that HPV can be passed through intercourse and intimate skin-to-skin contact and that anyone who has the virus could pass it on without knowing it. [2,8] This dialogue can also be an opportunity to discuss broader topics of preventive care, laying a foundation for healthy practices as they grow older. [2,3] "Talking about personal health was a taboo topic when I was growing up, so I didn't have information about HPV," Gilma notes. [2] "I make sure that my daughter knows that it is important, and I encourage her to make informed decisions about her health."
As Gilma continues her health journey, she encourages parents to use these tips and feel empowered to learn more about HPV and HPV-related cancers and diseases. By prioritizing HPV awareness and proactive approaches to care, we can help protect our children's health. For more information about HPV vaccination, speak with a healthcare provider and visit hpv.com.
[1] About HPV. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. July 3, 2024. Accessed September 23, 2024. https://www.cdc.gov/hpv/about/?CDC_AAref_Val=https://www.cdc.gov/hpv/parents/about-hpv.html
[2] Chapter 11: Human Papillomavirus. Epidemiology and Prevention of Vaccine-Preventable Diseases. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. April 23, 2024. Accessed July 18, 2024. https://www.cdc.gov/pinkbook/hcp/table-of-contents/chapter-11-human-papillomavirus.html
[3] Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Infection - STI Treatment Guidelines. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. July 22, 2021. Accessed May 13, 2024. https://www.cdc.gov/std/treatment-guidelines/hpv.htm
[4] HPV and Oropharyngeal Cancer. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. September 17, 2024. Accessed September 25, 2024. https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/hpv/oropharyngeal-cancer.html?CDC_AAref_Val=https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/hpv/basic_info/hpv_oropharyngeal.htm
[5] Cancers Caused by HPV. Human Papillomavirus (HPV). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. September 30, 2024. Accessed October 3, 2024. https://www.cdc.gov/hpv/about/cancers-caused-by-hpv.html?CDC_AAref_Val=https://www.cdc.gov/hpv/parents/cancer.html
[6] Cancers Linked With HPV Each Year. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. September 18, 2024. Accessed October 9, 2024. https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/hpv/cases.html
[7] HPV-Associated Cancer Diagnosis by Age. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. September 17, 2024. Accessed October 9, 2024. https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/hpv/diagnosis-by-age.html?CDC_AAref_Val=https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/hpv/statistics/age.htm
[8] HPV Signs and Symptoms. American Cancer Society. April 30, 2024. Accessed June 12, 2024. https://www.cancer.org/cancer/risk-prevention/hpv/hpv-signs-and-symptoms.html
[9] Suk R, Montealegre JR, Nemutlu GS, et al. Public knowledge of human papillomavirus and receipt of vaccination recommendations. Research letter. JAMA Pediatrics. 2019;173(11):1099-1102. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamapediatrics/fullarticle/2749340
[10] HPV Vaccination. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. August 20, 2024. Accessed September 23, 2024. https://www.cdc.gov/hpv/vaccines/?CDC_AAref_Val=https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vpd/hpv/public/index.html
[11] AAP Schedule of Well-Child Care Visits. Healthy Children. July 24, 2023. Accessed December 6, 2023. https://healthychildren.org/English/family-life/health-management/Pages/Well-Child-Care-A-Check-Up-for-Success.aspx