Cervical cancer rates have declined due to Pap tests and HPV vaccines, which prevent 90% of cervical cancers. However, disparities persist among women of color, those with lower socioeconomic status, and in specific geographic locations, with medically underserved women accounting for over 60% of diagnoses. To address these disparities, UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center has launched the Healthy Cervix study (HEALIX) in collaboration with Peach Tree Health.
HEALIX Study Details
The HEALIX study, a one-year research collaboration launched in July 2024 and running until June 2025, aims to reduce cervical cancer disparities among underrepresented women. The study focuses on increasing Pap and HPV testing rates for women aged 21–65 and HPV vaccination rates for their children aged 9–17. The study will take place at three Peach Tree clinics in Yuba and Sutter counties, with a fourth clinic in Sacramento serving as the control group.
Addressing Cultural and Logistical Barriers
HEALIX aims to enroll approximately 1,200 women and adolescents from diverse backgrounds, with a focus on Spanish-speaking patients. Julie Dang, co-leader of HEALIX, noted, "We need to understand if cultural stigmas and perhaps taboos regarding talking about sexual health are playing a role in low screening and vaccination rates. We think the culturally tailored interventions we are testing may make a difference."
Peach Tree health educator Magali Cisneros is conducting outreach to test new interventional approaches, following up with Latina patients who have not been screened or who canceled appointments. "We are trying to reduce all the barriers that may be keeping these women from coming in for routine cervical cancer screenings, including speaking to them in their native Spanish language," Cisneros said.
Innovative Approaches to Screening
HEALIX is providing $10 gas cards to cover transportation expenses and offering both in-clinic cervical cancer testing and HPV self-collection tests. The study is investigating whether women prefer using a self-test kit or in-clinic cervical cancer test. Everlywell provided the self-test kits and an IT interface to register the kits and track results.
Cervical Cancer Screening Guidelines
The U.S. Preventative Services Task Force recommends cervical cancer screening every three years with Pap tests alone for women aged 21 to 29. For women aged 30 to 65, screening is recommended every three years with Pap tests alone, every five years with high-risk HPV testing alone, or every five years with hrHPV testing in combination with Pap tests (co-testing).
Integrating Screening and Vaccination
"Once women get screened, either in clinic or at home, then we are giving them key prevention tips and letting them know about the HPV vaccine, which is best given to children between the ages of 9 and 12 and before they become sexually active," Cisneros said. Dang added, "Basically, our goal is to convince moms of the importance of screening themselves and vaccinating their kids."
