The HPV Vaccine Prevents Cancer
In the U.S., HPV infections are estimated to cause about 37,300 cases of cancer. The HPV vaccine can prevent over 90% of these cancers from ever developing.
Coping with Cervical Cancer
Cancer can be isolating, and it’s easy to see where friends and family members who haven’t personally dealt with cancer—and if they have, probably haven’t dealt with your specific cancer—aren’t able to fully relate and a patient can feel alone in some ways. The volunteer chapter leaders who work with ASHA’s National Cervical Cancer Coalition (NCCC) understand this well. Many chapter leaders are cervical cancer survivors or patients, while others are family members who lost a loved one to the disease.
In honor of Gynecologic Cancer Awareness Month, ASHA’s Fred Wyand asked NCCC chapter leaders to share their insights around what NCCC offers, coping with treatment and follow-up, and anything else they think women and families should know when it comes to dealing with cervical cancer. Fred shares their responses in this episode of ASHA’s Sex+Health podcast and underscores the need for support and the value in finding others who really understand and appreciate what a patient is going through.
Subscribe to Sex+Health at Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.
More to Explore
How to Prevent HPV and Cervical Cancer
Though usually harmless, some types of HPV cause cervical lesions that, over a period of time, can develop into cancer if untreated.
Australia is Closer to Ending Cervical Cancer
Australia has been a leader in HPV-prevention and cervical cancer screening for decades. Because of this, it is now close to eliminating cervical cancer entirely. However, recent drops in vaccination and screening rates threaten this progress.
Social Media Toolkit on Cervical Health
If you’re passionate about cervical health awareness, the resources here are for you. Advocacy around cervical health is especially relevant during national observances, including Cervical Health Awareness Month in January.
HPV Screening with Self Collection Endorsed by Two Organizations
At the end of 2025, the American Cancer Society released its new cervical cancer screening guidelines. In January 2026, the Health Resources and Services Administration endorsed a new set of guidelines as well. Both suggest HPV screening with self collected samples is an acceptable option.
Is One Shot of the HPV Vaccine Enough?
Research suggests that only one dose of the HPV vaccine may be effective enough to prevent HPV-related disease, including cancer.
ACS Releases New Cervical Cancer Screening Guidelines
The American Cancer Society (ACS) released new recommendations for cervical cancer screening that focus on HPV testing and approve the use of self-collected samples. The recommendations also clarify the age at which screening should start and stop.
What You Need to Know About the HPV Self-Collection Test
There’s a new way to screen for cervical cancer. With self-collection, you can take a sample of cells from your vagina. You still have to go to your provider’s office, but there’s no pelvic exam, stirrups, or speculum involved.