"It Feels Like They Cut off My Wings": Cervical Cancer Stories and Experiences Among Middle- to Older-Age Latina Survivors in the United States.

BACKGROUND: Although cervical cancer is preventable, Latinas are twice as likely to receive a late diagnosis compared with non-Hispanic Whites (NHW). We currently know very little about the experiences of cervical cancer among middle- to older-age Latinas in the U.S. This study aimed to document Latina cervical cancer survivors' journeys with an emphasis on improving the cervical cancer system of care to address inequities among a rapidly aging Latina population. METHODS: We interviewed participants aged ≥ 40 years with a diagnosis of cervical cancer of three months or greater who identify as Latina. Recruitment was multi-pronged, including electronic healthcare records search, community tabling events, and snowball sampling. We conducted a qualitative study using the Database of Individual Patient Experiences (DIPEx) methodology and identified themes using grounded theory constructivist analysis. RESULTS: A total of 20 Latinas (43 to 85 years old) participated, including 16 Spanish-language interviews. We identified three themes: formative experiences driving screening and prevention behaviors, provider communication that was suboptimal throughout the cancer continuum, and survivorship impacts including isolation and stigma with implications for the next generation. CONCLUSIONS: A central takeaway was the pervasiveness of Latinas' feelings of shame, lack of communication, and isolation. Healthcare systems must improve culturally responsive communication, survivorship support, and screening equity for aging Latina populations. Abuelas, tias, and/or primas (grandmothers, aunts, and cousins) could play a critical role in raising awareness and increasing timely and early screening among the wider Latina population.