Episode 239: HPV Beyond the Cervix: Cervical Cancer Awareness & One Physician’s Precancer Story

Описание: January is Cervical Cancer Awareness Month, and while many people know HPV causes cervical cancer, far fewer realize HPV can also lead to vulvar, vaginal, anal, oral, and penile cancers.

In this episode of the Sky Women’s Health Podcast, Dr. Carolyn Moyers is joined by Dr. Nisha Patel (@drplantel), who shares her personal experience navigating an unexpected HPV-related precancer diagnosis. This is an honest, patient-centered conversation about what happens when HPV shows up outside the cervix — and why symptoms are often overlooked.

We discuss abnormal Pap smears, persistent vulvar symptoms, delayed diagnosis, and why biopsy matters when something doesn’t feel right. If you’ve ever been told “everything looks normal” but still had concerns, this episode will resonate.

In This Episode, We Discuss:
HPV and its link to cervical cancer
HPV-related vulvar, vaginal, anal, oral, and penile cancers
Why HPV is extremely common — and why stigma is harmful
Why Pap smears don’t detect all HPV-related disease
How vulvar symptoms can be missed or minimized
What it feels like to receive a precancer diagnosis
When biopsy is necessary
How patients can advocate for themselves
Why This Conversation Matters

HPV is one of the most common sexually transmitted infections worldwide. Early detection and awareness — beyond Pap smears alone — are critical to preventing HPV-related cancers. This episode expands the cervical cancer conversation to include whole-body HPV awareness.

About Our Guest
Dr. Nisha Patel is a physician and health educator who uses her platform @drplantel to share honest conversations about healthcare, advocacy, and lived experience. In this episode, she speaks openly as a patient to help others feel informed and empowered.

🔗 Connect with Dr. Carolyn Moyers
📸 Instagram: @drcarolynmoyers
🎥 YouTube: @drcarolynmoyers
🌐 Website: www.skywomenshealth.com

🔗 Connect with Dr. Nisha Patel
📸 Instagram: @drplantel