Strategies to Raise Better HPV Awareness Among Black Women

Healthcare providers play a crucial role in protecting Black women from human papillomavirus (HPV) and cervical cancer. By implementing targeted strategies and addressing unique challenges, doctors can significantly improve prevention, screening, and treatment outcomes for this population. BDO hosted a conversation sharing key actions healthcare providers can take, based on insights from experts in the field:

1. Educate and Recommend HPV Vaccination

Susan Vadaparampil, Associate Center Director of Community Outreach, Engagement, and Equity at Moffitt Cancer Center, emphasizes the importance of provider recommendations: “The number one reason that patients choose things is because you said so as a doctor.” Healthcare providers should proactively recommend HPV vaccination for eligible patients, explaining its role in cancer prevention.

Amy Wiser, MD, a family medicine doctor, adds, “This is a cancer prevention vaccination, and I think that presenting it that way is true and accurate, but it can help to alleviate some of the taboo stigma associated topics surrounding the vaccination.”

For parents hesitant about vaccinating their children, Jennifer Erves, PhD, MPH, a public health oncologist at Vanderbilt University, advises, “We need to start strategizing in those efforts, moving forward… We need to have strategies when we can’t fully educate in that visit how parents that need that additional information.”

2. Promote Regular Cervical Cancer Screening

Ashanda Saint Jean, MD, an OB/GYN  stresses the importance of routine screenings: “When you have that routine guideline or that routine physical exam, you’re able to identify things that you may not [otherwise].” Providers should educate patients about screening guidelines and emphasize the importance of regular check-ups.

3. Create a Supportive and Understanding Environment

Dr. Wiser recommends: “I think and this sounds really very simple, but listening, taking the time and the space to encourage your patients to ask questions. And when they do, answering them to a degree of which they understand, you don’t overtalk anyone, and you allow a dialogue to happen because you are partnering with them for their health.”

Dr. Saint Jean adds, “We want to be very, very sensitive and intentional when we think about what our patients go through. Because there is a whole host of things that we may not think about, but we wanna be sensitive and respectful to.”

4. Address Medical Mistrust

Dr. Saint Jean acknowledges historical issues: “There are historical examples of where black and brown people have had medical mistrust. And sometimes that is the reasoning why they don’t go in. They don’t trust the doctors, right? Or the medical providers.” Providers should be aware of this context and work to build trust with their patients.

5. Provide Culturally Competent Care

Dr. Erves advises, “Be empathetic. Be culturally show cultural humility, and allow them that space.” This approach can help build trust and improve communication with Black women patients.

6. Offer Flexible Communication Options

Dr. Saint Jean suggests, “One of the biggest kinds of transformative practices that I’ve been able to do is telemedicine. Because we all know that there are time constrictions in terms of how long I can spend with you. Right? But if you have those questions down, we can now have another telemedicine visit where you can be in the comfort of your home and we can just talk.”

7. Ensure Follow-up and Completion of Vaccination Series

Dr. Erves notes, “We just have to make sure we get our children back in to complete that dose, and follow-up with parents, figure out what’s going on, send out reminders, to make sure parents are aware that the vaccine is due.”

8. Address Barriers to Care

Healthcare providers should be aware of potential barriers to care, such as lack of insurance or transportation issues. Dr. Saint Jean mentions, “There are many places. I know in New York, there are many free cervical cancer screening locations.” Providers should be prepared to connect patients with resources for free or low-cost screenings and vaccinations.

9. Collaborate with the Entire Healthcare Team

Vadaparampil emphasizes the importance of a unified approach: “We talk about things like, you know, really a same team approach… This is our stance. This is our approach because you don’t wanna sort of undo, you know, what maybe, the provider is doing inadvertently by not making sure that everybody is on the same page.”

10. Stay Informed and Advocate for Patients

Healthcare providers should stay updated on the latest guidelines and research regarding HPV and cervical cancer prevention. They should also be prepared to advocate for their patients’ health needs.

Dr. Saint Jean concludes with a powerful message: “I am hopeful that I never have to diagnose a cervical cancer again in my career because that is what kind of grounds me in doing this work and making sure I have time available to talk to people and have them understand.”

By implementing these strategies, healthcare providers can play a significant role in protecting Black women from HPV and cervical cancer. Through education, compassionate care, and persistent follow-up, doctors can help reduce the disparities in cervical cancer rates and improve overall health outcomes for Black women.

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