Cervical Cancer Elimination: Finding the Right Megaphone

"Introduction: Cervical cancer is preventable! The world can eliminate this devastating disease through increased vaccination and screening. Still, almost 14,000 people in the United States will receive a diagnosis of cervical cancer this year and over 4,000 will die from this preventable disease, disproportionately from underserved communities. Even with the need established and the elimination tools available, the healthcare community cannot find the right megaphone to effectively spread the word that we can abolish cervical cancer. Discovering the most successful approach to share this incredible message is the basis for the research question: How can healthcare educators most effectively communicate the message of cervical cancer elimination? The best way to share information with diverse populations is to have the culturally competent and relevant messages come from people who are most respected within their community. The unique voice of cervical cancer survivors can help healthcare educators build and deliver a trustworthy message. Methods: Designed through a Community Based Participatory Research lens, the researcher conducted one-on-one semi-structured interviews with ten cervical cancer survivors in north Alabama. The Institutional Review Board-approved interviews were consented, audio recorded, transcribed verbatim and thematically analyzed. The interview data will inform outreach education proposals. Results: The survivors shared their thoughts on screening, HPV and vaccination, gave outreach suggestions, and recounted their lived cancer journey. The findings led to three outreach strategies. First, ensure outreach is trauma-informed. Second, design sensitive, clear, detailed and congruent outreach. Lastly, use varied routes for education to include social media, influencers and survivors to reach all generations. Discussion: Communities can implement this study’s strategies for robust and effective outreach. Even with the small sample size, this new knowledge builds on previous survivor and outreach literature and puts the right megaphone within reach. We can end cervical cancer. Let’s do this!"