Iowa Mom’s Cervical Cancer Battle Highlights Importance of HPV Vaccination

Athena Porter, a mother of two from Iowa, is sharing her story of battling cervical cancer caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV) to advocate for increased HPV vaccination rates. Her experience underscores the critical role vaccination plays in preventing this often-preventable disease.

A Proactive Approach Turned to Concern

Porter began regular preventative healthcare in her early 20s, starting with her first Pap smear. The results revealed she was HPV-positive. Whereas doctors explained that the virus often clears on its own, they also cautioned about the potential for it to develop into cancer. “They told me that it came back HPV-positive, and they did a excellent job at trying to explain it to me that while it should be something I shouldn’t worry about, that worst case scenario, if your body didn’t get rid of it itself as a virus, it could turn to cancer,” Porter recounted.

Understanding HPV and its Impact

According to Dr. Willis Hong, an OB-GYN at UnityPoint Health, HPV is a sexually transmitted infection. “I think there’s a lot of misunderstandings about HPV and the screening process of it,” he stated. A significant concern is that men often carry the virus asymptomatically, unknowingly transmitting it to their partners. “We don’t actually screen males. So commonly many males are affected and they don’t know, and they don’t have any symptoms and they’re actually just carriers,” Dr. Hong explained.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that HPV infections are extremely common, with nearly everyone contracting the virus at some point in their lives. Often, individuals are unaware they are infected given that they exhibit no symptoms. However, HPV is linked to over 90% of cervical cancer cases.

A Decade of Monitoring and a Devastating Diagnosis

Porter underwent monitoring and procedures to eliminate the virus, initially receiving positive results. However, years later, after starting a family, she received a cancer diagnosis. “I’m like, so you’re saying I have cancer, just to wrap my mind around it. And she said yes with so much hesitation,” Porter shared. The emotional toll was significant, as she worried about the impact on her husband and daughters.

Radical Hysterectomy and a Fresh Perspective

Fortunately, the cancer was detected early, and Porter did not require chemotherapy or radiation. She underwent a radical hysterectomy, a procedure involving the removal of the uterus, cervix, part of the vagina, fallopian tubes, and surrounding tissues. While the decision meant she would be unable to have more children, she and her husband felt their family was complete.

Becoming a “CERvivor” and Advocating for Vaccination

Now considering herself a “CERvivor,” Porter is dedicated to sharing her story and promoting HPV vaccination. “Mine was caught so early, so I’m still here,” she said. “That gives me some more motivation that I am still here. And so I have to tell my story. I have to advocate.” She acknowledges vaccine hesitancy but firmly believes the benefits outweigh the risks, stating, “You could say that a risk of not taking it is having your uterus removed and not having the ability to have any more children.”

Dr. Hong expressed optimism about the potential to eradicate cervical cancer, stating, “This is one of those cancers that we can actually defeat and cure.”

HPV Vaccination Rates in Iowa

Despite the availability of the HPV vaccine, vaccination rates in Iowa remain below the national goal. Currently, less than half of children aged 13 to 15 have completed the vaccine series, though rates are slightly higher in Polk County. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services aims to increase the HPV vaccination rate to 80% by 2030.

Porter is focused on protecting her daughters, friends, and their children from experiencing the challenges she faced. “To be here today and I glance around at the life that I have and the blessings that I’ve been given, I mean, I thank God first and then I just (sit) in a sense of gratitude,” she said.