LOS ANGELES — Fearing stigma, a large percentage of Latina women avoid taking the Pap test. Would it not bring shame to their family if they were to be diagnosed with cervical cancer, they wonder.
Two survivors of the disease, Anabel Salazar and Reyna Rodriguez, both 38, tell about what they went through after they were diagnosed. They urge all Latinas to get regular medical examinations so that cervical cancer can be detected early, which will help them avoid pain and suffering later on.
Salazar, a Mexican native now living in Los Angeles, opened up to Impulso, hoping that her story will serve as an inspiration for Latinas.
"It all started just over a year ago, when I went for a Pap smear," Salazar said, noting that she hadn't taken the test in about eight years because she worried what she might find out.
"Then I went, and they told me I had cancerous cells, but I did not give it much importance until I began to feel ill and had a lot of pain, " she said.
By the time she went back to the doctor again, the tumor had grown significantly. She began an intensive medical treatment to fight the cancer.
"I had surgery a month later at White Memorial Medical Center to remove the tumor and my uterus," she said.
About 20 days later, she began receiving radiation therapy for six weeks. Eight chemotherapy sessions followed. They made her weak, unable to eat and constipated her. She frequently bled from hemorrhoids.
"It's horrible what happened to me," Salazar said. "I remember that I cried every day. I became very depressed."
Salazar talked about how her life completely changed after her diagnosis and treatment began. Her body ached from all the treatment. She lost her hair. But her partner and other family members took care of her, she said.
What kept her going were primarily her two older children, aged 22 and 16, as well as her youngest, a 4-year-old.
"It was like a nightmare from which I still have not recovered because it's only been five months since I finished my chemotherapy, and my body still hurts and I have very low morale."
A trip to Las Vegas last October helped lift her spirits, she said.
She urges all Latinas to have themselves regularly checked out so cervical cancer can be detected early. She also recommends that young women vaccinate themselves against the human papilloma virus (HPV), the virus that can cause cervical cancer.
"Moms need to take advantage of the advances in medical science and take their daughters to get vaccinated to take care of their health," she added. "That way, they can be better protected against this disease."
Her Faith Helped Her Survive
For Reyna Rodriguez, a native of Guerrero, the way she learned she had cervical cancer was very different, although the impact on her life was just as intense.
"It was detected in January of last year because my periods were out of control, I had a lot of hemorrhaging when I was peeing and I was scared," she said. "As I bled more and more, I made an appointment at the hospital. From there they sent me to the emergency room where I had a pap smear, a biopsy, an ultrasound and they had me under observation for several hours."
Rodriguez said that when she returned for the results of her exams in March 2010, she was told she had cervical cancer.
"It was difficult because you do not think you can get it," she said. "My world came crashing down and I got depressed. "I thought I was going to die. And she added: This is something I do not wish on anyone."
Rodriguez said the doctors operated on her. Last May, she began receiving radiation and chemotherapy. That ended in June.
"Now I'm fine, thank God they removed the tumor and I am a survivor, but one is always left with the fear that the disease will come back," she said. "Something that really helped me get through it all was the support of my family, my son, my daughters: Daisy, 20, and Nora Nayeli, 19, and my 1-year-old grandson of 1 year. He somehow had a sense of what was happening at that time because he used to cry a lot."
Rodriguez later moved in with her sister, Herminia, who cared for her like a mother.
She said her faith in God helped her cope with the radiation and chemotherapy, which made her feel drowsy and hungry, as well as weak and depressed."
Rodriguez said she now goes for periodic checkups. She has returned to work and is back supporting her family.
Latinas have the highest incidence rate of cervical cancer of all ethnic groups, according to the most recent study conducted in 2007. Timely Pap tests could prevent this.
Places to Get Free Tests
Women who have not had Pap smears done for economic reasons can call the Health Department of Los Angeles County's Multi-lingual Hotline (English, Spanish, Cantonese, Mandarin, Cantonese, Vietnamese, and Korean) at 1-800-793-8090 for information on where to get a free medical test.
They can also call the state cancer's multi-lingual line, Every Woman Counts, at 1-800-511-2300 to find out where they test.
According to the National Cancer Institute, women should have their first Pap smear at age 21 and then every two or three years depending on age and other factors. Women are advised to consult with their doctor.
According to the National Cancer Institute there are several additional things that can help women protect themselves against the HPV:
- Abstain from having sex. The best way to prevent this disease is not having vaginal, oral or anal sex.
- Be faithful. Having sex with only one partner can also decrease the risk, that means not having sex with other people other than your partner.
- Use condoms. HPV can occur in genital areas of women and men, so it is recommended they use a condom every time they engage in vaginal, oral or anal sex.
This reporting by Myriam Reyes, writer from Impulso, is part of her 2011 CMAF/Cervical Cancer Reporting Fellowship sponsored by the California Medical Association Foundation. CMAF is a charitable arm of the California Medical Association to bridge the physicians to their communities. This journalism Fellowship program is designed to raise the awareness and provide public health information on cervical cancer to the at-risk Latino population in Los Angeles.
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