Athena Porter, a mother of two from rural Iowa, is sharing her deeply personal battle with cervical cancer, a disease directly linked to the human papillomavirus (HPV). Her story is a powerful call to action, urging increased HPV vaccination rates to prevent others from facing the same frightening diagnosis. Porter’s experience highlights the often-silent threat of HPV and the preventative power of a vaccine that could dramatically reduce the incidence of this cancer. The urgency of her message is amplified by a current debate in the Iowa State House regarding parental consent for minors seeking vaccinations, including the HPV vaccine.
Porter, recalling her early adulthood, explained she was proactive about her health. “In my early 20s, I just tried to be proactive,” she said, referring to her first Pap smear. The results revealed she tested positive for HPV. While initially told not to worry, as the virus often clears on its own, she was informed of the potential for cancer if it persisted. “They told me that it came back HPV-positive, and they did a good 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. And trying not to scare me. But you hear the word cancer and a million bad things head through your head,” Porter recounted.
The Silent Threat of HPV
HPV is a remarkably common sexually transmitted infection. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), nearly everyone will contract HPV at some point in their lives. Often, the infection is asymptomatic, meaning people are unaware they are infected. However, as Porter’s case demonstrates, persistent HPV infection can lead to cervical cancer, with more than 90% of cervical cancer cases attributed to the virus. Dr. Willis Hong, an OB-GYN with UnityPoint Health, emphasizes the prevalence of misunderstanding surrounding HPV. “I think there’s a lot of misunderstandings about HPV and the screening process of it,” he said. He also noted that men can be carriers of the virus without exhibiting symptoms, 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,” Hong explained.
A Decade of Monitoring, Then Devastating News
For years after her initial diagnosis, Porter underwent regular monitoring as her doctors tracked the HPV virus. She initially received good news, believing the virus had cleared. However, after the birth of her two daughters, the virus resurfaced, revealing itself as a dormant threat. “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 recalled, describing the moment she received the devastating news. The emotional toll was immense. “I cried my eyes out. That first day was pretty dark. As optimistic as I am, you have thoughts that run through your head like, ‘What’s my husband going to do? What are my two daughters going to do? What if I’m not here?’”
Radical Hysterectomy and a New Purpose
Fortunately, Porter’s cancer was detected early, allowing her to avoid chemotherapy and radiation. However, she underwent a radical hysterectomy, a procedure involving the removal of her uterus, cervix, part of the vagina, fallopian tubes, and surrounding tissues. While she and her husband had completed their family, the loss of future reproductive options was challenging. “While my husband and I felt complete in our family, it was definitely hard to wrestle through having that option taken away from me,” she said. Today, Porter embraces the title of “CERvivor” and is determined to share her story and advocate for 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.”
Addressing Vaccine Hesitancy
Porter acknowledges the concerns surrounding vaccines but firmly believes the benefits of HPV vaccination outweigh the risks. “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,” she stated, speaking from her own experience. Dr. Hong echoes this sentiment, expressing optimism about the potential to eradicate cervical cancer altogether. “Here’s one of those cancers that we can actually defeat and cure,” he said.
Despite the proven effectiveness of the HPV vaccine, vaccination rates in Iowa remain concerningly low. Currently, less than half of children aged 13 to 15 have completed the vaccine series, even though rates are slightly higher in Polk County. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has set a goal to increase the HPV vaccination rate to 80% by 2030. Porter’s advocacy comes at a critical time, as a bill in the Iowa State House, Senate File 304, could restrict minors’ access to vaccinations for sexually transmitted infections without parental consent, potentially hindering efforts to improve vaccination rates.
Porter’s focus now is on protecting her daughters, friends, and their children from experiencing the fear and uncertainty she faced. “To be here today and I look 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. The Iowa legislature is expected to continue debate on Senate File 304 in the coming weeks, and public health officials will continue to monitor HPV vaccination rates across the state.
Disclaimer: This article provides information for general knowledge and informational purposes only, and does not constitute medical advice. It is essential to consult with a qualified healthcare professional for any health concerns or before making any decisions related to your health or treatment.
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