Cervical cancer is a largely preventable form of cancer, yet women in rural and underserved communities continue to face barriers that delay or prevent lifesaving care.
Heather Hissom, NP, has spent her career advocating for women’s health across Ohio, West Virginia, and Pennsylvania. She began her education at Kent State East Liverpool before starting her career in labor and delivery. That experience sparked her interest in women’s health, leading her back to Kent State for a Master’s degree.
Since 2018, Heather has practiced as a nurse practitioner at East Liverpool City Hospital. She has developed long-term relationships with patients and structures her care around being an advocate and voice for women in her community. She has also been working part time at CHANGE in Newell, West Virginia, a role she stepped into during the COVID-19 pandemic.
A key part of Heather’s work focuses on comprehensive cervical cancer prevention and screening. She prioritizes preventative care with all of her female patients, encouraging routine Pap smears, HPV testing, in-office diagnostic procedures, and consistent follow up care. Rather than relying on extended screening intervals when abnormalities appear, she takes a proactive, year by year approach to ensure changes are caught early, before cancer can develop.
However, there are still barriers to care that affect women in the regions she serves.
Transportation, for example, is a major challenge in rural areas where public transit is limited or nonexistent. Insurance restrictions can also complicate referrals across state lines. And in today’s social media-driven age, misinformation often creates fear around Pap smears, HPV testing, and vaccination. Heather frequently encounters patients who believe a single Pap smear years ago is sufficient, or that screenings are painful or unnecessary.
This is where Heather’s role as a nurse practitioner matters most. Patients know her, feel heard by her, and often return to her even after specialist care. She also works to reduce barriers by offering in-office procedures that do not require anesthesia or hospital admission, allowing patients to drive themselves and return to daily life quickly.
During Cervical Cancer Awareness Month, Heather emphasizes that prevention starts with education and access. Screenings beginning at age 21, HPV testing starting at age 25, and vaccination remain critical tools in reducing cervical cancer rates. Programs like the Breast and Cervical Cancer Screening Program (BSCCP) help remove financial barriers by covering Pap smears and mammograms for uninsured patients, as well as follow-up testing when results are abnormal. Her practice also makes it a priority not to turn patients away due to missed appointments or financial hardship.
This month is a reminder to utilize your health care providers, community resources, and trusted sources to stay informed, safe, and healthy.
Early detection saves lives, but only if women can actually access care. Heather’s work shows what cervical cancer prevention looks like in real life. Her message to patients is simple: get screened, ask questions, and trust your provider.
For nurse practitioners like Heather Hissom, improving cervical cancer prevention is not just part of the job. It is a daily commitment to meet women where they are and ensure they get the care they need.
Heather is also a long-standing OAAPN member, giving her access to continued education opportunities that help ensure she can provide the best care possible. As an OAAPN member, she also has access to key information regarding potential changes to our practice and can weigh in as a grassroots advocate.