Cervical Cancer Information in American Sign Language – What is HPV?

If American Sign Language (ASL) is your primary mode of communication, you may encounter some difficulties in accessing medical advice. The more complex the illness, the more difficult it is to find information in ASL. This is especially true for cancer patients. For example, people undergoing cancer treatment commonly report a loss of energy and appetite as a direct result of their treatment. In an effort to reduce this medical communication barrier, the UCSD Moores Cancer Center has created informational videos in ASL. These were created by deaf men and women specifically for the deaf community, and aim to answer any questions that you might have about cancer.

Human Papillomavirus, or HPV, is a Sexually Transmitted Disease that can increase the risk of getting certain types cancer in both men and women. There are many types of HPV, and while some cause genital growths of the cervix that can develop into cancer, other growths do not. Some fifty percent of sexually active men and women acquire a genital HPV infection at some point, so it is very important to remain informed so as to prevent the development of cancer. Last year in 2008, over eleven thousand women were diagnosed with cervical cancer- educating yourself and getting screened is more important than ever. Don’t be discouraged from seeking medical information about cancer because you think that you might not be able to understand it. You can start by watching ASL informational videos online about HPV and Cervical Cancer through UCSD’s Cancer Education Program.