Posters
Presenting Author Academic/Professional Position
Other
Academic Level (Author 1)
Other
Discipline/Specialty (Author 1)
Obstetrics and Gynecology
Academic Level (Author 2)
Staff
Discipline/Specialty (Author 2)
Neuroscience
Academic Level (Author 3)
Graduate Student
Academic Level (Author 4)
Faculty
Discipline/Specialty (Author 4)
Neuroscience
Presentation Type
Poster
Discipline Track
Clinical Science
Abstract Type
Program Abstract
Abstract
Background: HPV infection is one of the most common sexually transmitted infections. It is transmitted through sexual relations, skin-to-skin or mucous membrane contact, and by direct vertical transmission from mother to child (at birth). The highest prevalence is in women of 20 to 30 years. Risk factors include early initiation of sexual intercourse, having multiple sexual partners, immunosuppressed status, tobacco use, low socioeconomic level, and long-term use of oral contraceptives. More than 85% of deaths from cervical cancer (CC) occur in low- and middle-income countries. Approximately, 200 types of HPV have been identified, according to the degree of pathogenicity, they are classified as: 1. Low risk, the best-known types are 6,11 that cause genital warts. 2. High risk, types 16,18 are responsible for 70% of cervical cancers 3. Other types of high-risk HPV include types 31,33,35,39,45,51,52,56,58,59,68. Combined they cause more than 25 % of cervical cancers. In addition to CC, 90% of anal cancer, 70% of cases of oropharyngeal, vaginal and vulvar cancer, and about 60% of penile cancer have been found in Texas are related to HPV.
Methods: We reviewed selected literature from 2021-2024 addressing the association between HPV and CC in the LRGV and the Border regions of Mexico.
Results: We found only two articles addressing this region. In a study done in 2002, 398 Hispanic women on both sides of the border between LRGV and Northern Mexico, it was found that 62% were carriers of High-risk HPV, with HPV 16 and 18 being the most frequent (30.6% and 23.0% respectively). In another study carried out in women who lived in the LRGV (2014-2018), it was found that the percentage of incidence and mortality from CC is approximately 25% higher in this region than the rest of the state of Texas and 55% higher compared to the rest of the United States.
Conclusions: Our review showed that the incidence of high-risk HPV and the presence of cervical cancers occurs at a greater proportion in Texas, especially in the LRGV region, than in the rest of United States. It also highlighted the very limited literature addressing this geographic region. The studies reviewed also indicate the need to focus on preventative strategies to promote the decrease in the incidence of HPV-Infections and related cancers. Such preventive measures may include increasing education and suitable screenings. We suggest the following preventive approaches to decrease the incidence of CC on the southern border of the USA and Northern border of Mexico caused by high-risk HPV: · Increase prevention by promoting education in the communities through health care professionals such as doctors, nurses and other health workers. This may include, educating parents about the application of vaccines against HPV viruses, as well as conducting educational activities in schools. Also, using simple information brochures, media and social networks. · Increase detection strategies through screening methods such as: a) Pap smear plus HPV Co-test, b) HPV test as a primary test for Cervical cancer in women 25 years and older. c) HPV self-sample collection: if the test is positive, also perform cervical visualization with 5% acetic acid (VIA) d) Visualization tests as primary methods VIA plus visualization with Lugol Iodine (VILI) · In the event of any positive result from any of these mentioned tests, the patient should undergo colposcopy to decide whether to take a biopsy and select treatment.
Recommended Citation
Gomez-Garza, Miroslava; Garza, Noe; Garza, Desiree; and Salloum, Ihsan, "High Risk Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) and the Relationship with Cervical Cancer in the Lower Rio Grande Valley (LRGV) and the Mexico Border" (2025). Research Symposium. 110.
https://scholarworks.utrgv.edu/somrs/2025/posters/110
Included in
High Risk Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) and the Relationship with Cervical Cancer in the Lower Rio Grande Valley (LRGV) and the Mexico Border
Background: HPV infection is one of the most common sexually transmitted infections. It is transmitted through sexual relations, skin-to-skin or mucous membrane contact, and by direct vertical transmission from mother to child (at birth). The highest prevalence is in women of 20 to 30 years. Risk factors include early initiation of sexual intercourse, having multiple sexual partners, immunosuppressed status, tobacco use, low socioeconomic level, and long-term use of oral contraceptives. More than 85% of deaths from cervical cancer (CC) occur in low- and middle-income countries. Approximately, 200 types of HPV have been identified, according to the degree of pathogenicity, they are classified as: 1. Low risk, the best-known types are 6,11 that cause genital warts. 2. High risk, types 16,18 are responsible for 70% of cervical cancers 3. Other types of high-risk HPV include types 31,33,35,39,45,51,52,56,58,59,68. Combined they cause more than 25 % of cervical cancers. In addition to CC, 90% of anal cancer, 70% of cases of oropharyngeal, vaginal and vulvar cancer, and about 60% of penile cancer have been found in Texas are related to HPV.
Methods: We reviewed selected literature from 2021-2024 addressing the association between HPV and CC in the LRGV and the Border regions of Mexico.
Results: We found only two articles addressing this region. In a study done in 2002, 398 Hispanic women on both sides of the border between LRGV and Northern Mexico, it was found that 62% were carriers of High-risk HPV, with HPV 16 and 18 being the most frequent (30.6% and 23.0% respectively). In another study carried out in women who lived in the LRGV (2014-2018), it was found that the percentage of incidence and mortality from CC is approximately 25% higher in this region than the rest of the state of Texas and 55% higher compared to the rest of the United States.
Conclusions: Our review showed that the incidence of high-risk HPV and the presence of cervical cancers occurs at a greater proportion in Texas, especially in the LRGV region, than in the rest of United States. It also highlighted the very limited literature addressing this geographic region. The studies reviewed also indicate the need to focus on preventative strategies to promote the decrease in the incidence of HPV-Infections and related cancers. Such preventive measures may include increasing education and suitable screenings. We suggest the following preventive approaches to decrease the incidence of CC on the southern border of the USA and Northern border of Mexico caused by high-risk HPV: · Increase prevention by promoting education in the communities through health care professionals such as doctors, nurses and other health workers. This may include, educating parents about the application of vaccines against HPV viruses, as well as conducting educational activities in schools. Also, using simple information brochures, media and social networks. · Increase detection strategies through screening methods such as: a) Pap smear plus HPV Co-test, b) HPV test as a primary test for Cervical cancer in women 25 years and older. c) HPV self-sample collection: if the test is positive, also perform cervical visualization with 5% acetic acid (VIA) d) Visualization tests as primary methods VIA plus visualization with Lugol Iodine (VILI) · In the event of any positive result from any of these mentioned tests, the patient should undergo colposcopy to decide whether to take a biopsy and select treatment.
