Cervical cancer used to be a major cause of death for women. Today, thanks to regular screening and the HPV vaccine, far fewer women die from this disease. According to the American Cancer Society, cervical cancer survival rates have increased nearly 50% since the mid-1970s, reaching an overall five-year survival rate of 68% by 2021.
However, these lifesaving advances have not reached everyone equally.
Women who primarily speak Spanish are less likely to get the HPV vaccine or regular cervical cancer screening. As a result, they are more likely to develop cervical cancer and die from it. To help close this gap, a research team at George Washington University tested a new way to share important health information with patients.
What the Study Looked At
The study included 192 women who came to a clinic for a Pap smear. All participants received care from a doctor. Half of the women also watched a short, 10-minute animated video in Spanish while at the clinic. The video explained what cervical cancer is, how it can be prevented, and why regular screening matters.
The researchers wanted to know:
- Did women who watched the video learn more about cervical cancer?
- Were patients satisfied with their visit?
- Could a video fit easily into a regular doctor’s appointment?
What the Researchers Found
The results were clear and encouraging.
Women who watched the video learned significantly more than those who only spoke with their doctor. After watching the video, they were able to correctly answer many more questions about cervical cancer and screening.
Key findings include:
- Better understanding: Women who watched the video improved their knowledge by almost 3 percent on a 10-question quiz. Those who did not watch the video improved by less than 1 percent.
- Clearer screening guidance: The biggest gains were in understanding when cervical cancer screening should start and how often it should happen.
- High satisfaction: Patients in both groups rated their visit very highly. The video did not replace the doctor — it supported the conversation.
These findings matter because people are more likely to follow through with screening and prevention when they understand why it is important.
Why This Matters
Language barriers and limited access to health information can prevent people from getting care that could save their lives. This study shows that a simple, low-cost video can help patients feel more informed and prepared before talking with their doctor.
“As a child of immigrants, I could empathize with Spanish-speaking patients navigating a health system in English,” says lead author Stephanie Wang, MD. “Inspiration for this project came from wanting to bridge the gap in understanding cervical cancer screening and prevention among this specific patient population.”
“Knowledge is one of the most powerful tools we have in cancer prevention,” says Elmer Huerta, MD, MPH. “When patients receive clear, culturally appropriate information in their own language, they are better equipped to make decisions that can save their lives.”
Principal Investigator Nicole Chappell, MD, adds that a short, clinic-based tools like this video “are scalable and efficient” – they do not add much time for doctor’s but they can overcome language barriers and make prevention messages much more effective during routine medical visits.
What Comes Next
The research team plans to make this tool even easier to use by:
- Adding QR codes in waiting rooms so patients can watch the video on their phones
- Offering the video on tablets during check-in
- Creating versions in more languages
- Simplifying the content for people with lower health literacy
These steps could help even more patients get the information they need — right when they need it.
About the Researchers
Principal Investigator Nicole Chappell, MD, has focused on improving cancer care through research throughout her career. She worked closely with the study’s lead authors, Stephanie Wang, MD, and Sajid Rahman, MD, who were residents at GW during the study. Elmer Huerta, MD, MPH, contributed to the project’s focus on culturally responsive communication. Together, they designed and carried out the research with a shared goal: helping patients better understand cervical cancer and how to prevent it.
References
- American Cancer Society. Key Statistics for Cervical Cancer. Updated January 13, 2024. Accessed January 26, 2026. https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/cervical-cancer/about/key-statistics.html
- Wang SM, Rahman S, Salinas M, et al. Impact of educational video on cervical cancer knowledge in Hispanic patients: A randomized trial. Patient Educ Couns. 2025;138:109202. doi:10.1016/j.pec.2025.109202
