January is Cervical Cancer Awareness Month


  Monday, January 27, 2025
  Academics, Health, Research, Faculty Focus

By Heriberto Perez–Zuñiga

RIO GRANDE VALLEY, TEXAS – JAN. 27, 2025 – Cervical cancer remains one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths among women worldwide, yet it is almost entirely preventable through vaccination and early detection. It is the most frequently diagnosed cancer in women, and the Rio Grande Valley region has the highest incidence and mortality rates for cervical cancer in the U.S.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), one in 78 women will be diagnosed with cervical cancer in their lifetime. In the Rio Grande Valley, that statistic is even more alarming, with incidence and mortality rates approximately 55% higher than the national average, according to Texas Health and Human Services. Dr. Subhash Chauhan, director of the UTRGV School of Medicine’s South Texas Center of Excellence in Cancer Research (ST-CECR), emphasizes that cervical cancer is a deadly but often a preventable disease.

“Through education, research and action, we’re working to ensure that women in our community have access to life-saving resources,” Chauhan said. “Cervical cancer doesn’t have to be a death sentence. There are effective ways to treat and prevent it.”

UNDERSTANDING CERVICAL CANCER

Cervical cancer begins in the cells of the cervix, often caused by persistent infection with high-risk types of the human papillomavirus (HPV). If not detected and treated early, it can spread to other parts of the body.

Each year, more than 300,000 women die from cervical cancer globally, with low- and middle-income regions experiencing the highest mortality rates. In Texas, the burden is particularly severe in border regions like the Rio Grande Valley, where many women face barriers to preventive care, such as Pap smears and HPV vaccinations.

“Early detection through regular screenings and prevention through HPV vaccination can significantly reduce the risk of cervical cancer,” Chauhan said. “Unfortunately, for many women in the Valley, access to these resources remains a challenge.”

A GLOBAL MISSION

With the support of Good Days, a national nonprofit organization that facilitates access to lifesaving and life-extending treatments, the UTRGV School of Medicine and the South Texas Center of Excellence in Cancer Research launched the Cervical Cancer Prevention Action Network (CCPAN) to align with the WHO’s global mission to eliminate cervical cancer. This initiative focuses on community education efforts and emphasizes the importance of HPV vaccinations and routine screenings.

"Public health interventions like the Cervical Cancer Prevention Action Network have the power to transform lives," said Clorinda Walley, president of Good Days. "When we focus on early detection and prevention, particularly in underserved communities like the Rio Grande Valley, we open the door to significant improvements in quality of life. Every woman deserves access to the resources and education needed to prevent and fight cervical cancer, and we are proud to help make that a reality."

At the ST-CECR, researchers are investigating HPV genotypes and immune responses in women in the Valley, aiming to develop tailored strategies for preventing and treating cervical cancer.

“The research being conducted in the Valley at the UTRGV School of Medicine will help us address the urgent health needs we face,” Chauhan said. “Like many other illnesses in the region, the actual rates of cancer may be underreported because individuals without health insurance or financial means often don’t seek the necessary services or diagnoses.”

The Rio Grande Valley faces some of the highest rates of chronic diseases, including liver, gall bladder and cervical cancers, compounded by factors such as prolonged stress, obesity and diabetes. With nearly 25% of families living below the poverty line, access to healthcare remains a significant barrier for many residents.

Despite the challenges, Chauhan points out that researchers at the ST-CECR are making strides in advancing early detection and treatment methods.

“The fight against cervical cancer is far from over, but progress is being made,” he said. “We have the tools and knowledge to prevent this disease. Now, it’s about ensuring everyone has access to them.”

To educate the community about this preventable disease, CCPAN will host a community event at UTRGV on Jan. 31 to discuss prevention, recovery, warning signs, risk factors and awareness.

“Together, we can fight cervical cancer, save lives, and make a difference in the RGV,” Chauhan said.​ 

ABOUT GOOD DAYS

Good Days is a national non-profit advocacy organization that utilizes proprietary, state-of the art technology to provide assistance, including financial resources, for lifesaving and life-extending treatments to people in need. Since 2003, Good Days has provided more than 2 million grants and distributed over $3 billion in assistance. Good Days offers a variety of programs, including premium, copayment and travel assistance. To learn more about Good Days and its grant programs, please visit www.mygooddays.org.



ABOUT UTRGV

The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) was created by the Texas Legislature in 2013 as the first major public university of the 21st century in Texas. This transformative initiative provided the opportunity to expand educational opportunities in the Rio Grande Valley, including a new School of Medicine, and made it possible for residents of the region to benefit from the Permanent University Fund – a public endowment contributing support to the University of Texas System and other institutions.

UTRGV has campuses and off-campus research and teaching sites throughout the Rio Grande Valley including in Boca Chica Beach, Brownsville (formerly The University of Texas at Brownsville campus), Edinburg (formerly The University of Texas-Pan American campus), Harlingen, McAllen, Port Isabel, Rio Grande City, and South Padre Island. UTRGV, a comprehensive academic institution, enrolled its first class in the fall of 2015, and the School of Medicine welcomed its first class in the summer of 2016.