Nursing & Allied Health ECHO Case Presentations-Navigating Advanced Cervical Malignancy: Rural Realities and Modern Treatment Approaches

Navigating Advanced Cervical Malignancy: Rural Realities and Modern Treatment Approaches

Video Transcription

Video Summary

Bronwyn presented a case of “Meg,” a 46-year-old woman from remote Queensland diagnosed with stage 4B HPV-associated cervical squamous cell carcinoma after months of abnormal bleeding and discharge. The talk highlighted how cervical cancer remains a major global inequity, with rural and Indigenous women facing reduced screening access, delayed diagnosis, and worse outcomes despite Australia’s strong HPV vaccination and screening programs.<br /><br />Meg required coordinated, multidisciplinary care, including ureteric stents, a stoma, chemoradiation, and pembrolizumab immunotherapy. Bronwyn emphasized the nursing role in clustering appointments to reduce repeated long-distance travel, arranging patient travel support, and providing education about complex treatments and side effects. A major focus was the emotional impact of the stoma and the importance of stoma nurses, psychosocial support, and peer connection.<br /><br />The discussion expanded to international perspectives from Canada, Ireland, Brazil, Malawi, and elsewhere, all describing similar barriers: geography, delayed diagnosis, limited specialist access, bureaucracy, and inequities affecting Indigenous and rural populations. Participants also discussed the growing role of HPV self-collection, palliative care referral practices, and the need for better survivorship support and patient navigation. The session concluded with strong agreement that improving access, trust, and coordination is essential for equitable cervical cancer care.

Asset Subtitle

Recorded April 2026

Keywords

cervical cancer

HPV-associated

rural health inequity

Indigenous women

multidisciplinary care

chemoradiation

pembrolizumab

stoma support

patient navigation