A Culturally Sensitive Approach to Cervical Cancer Prevention in the Latina Population Using the Promotora Model

Latina women of low socioeconomic status are particularly vulnerable to morbidity and mortality from cervical cancer. Lower rates of screening are associated with increased mortality rates in this population. Community health workers known as promotoras de salud can be an effective part of the health care team to help improve health care access in this population. Promotoras using a cervical cancer education curriculum known as AMIGAS can help promote access to services, provide education, and possibly save lives in an underserved population. Nurses and advanced practice nurses who care for underserved Latina women can collaborate with promotoras to increase women's knowledge of cervical cancer screening and of community-based resources available to increase their access to Pap testing and human papillomavirus vaccination.