Living With—and Beyond—HPV-Related Cancers
For those living with a diagnosis, those finding their way through survivorship, those we’ve lost, and everyone who loves them.
An HPV-related cancer diagnosis can change everything. So can treatment, recovery, survivorship, and the uncertainty that sometimes follows.
HPV-related cancers include anal, cervical, head and neck, vaginal, vulvar, and penile cancers. Each diagnosis is different, but no one should have to navigate the experience alone.
This space is for people living with and beyond HPV-related cancers—and for the partners, families, friends, caregivers, and communities walking alongside them.
We remember those we’ve lost. We honor those who continue forward. And we believe no one should have to navigate these experiences in silence, shame, or isolation.
There is life beyond a diagnosis. There is community beyond the silence. And there is hope beyond the cancer.
“Cancer has the ability to make the best of us panic-stricken and fearful or it can become the turning point in our lives, helping us to transform into courageous, grateful, and more alive spiritual beings”
HPV-Related Cancers & Survivorship
Understanding the diagnosis. Navigating treatment. Living beyond cancer.
Human papillomavirus (HPV) is incredibly common. Most HPV infections never cause serious health problems, but certain types of HPV can contribute to the development of cancer.
HPV is associated with several cancers, including anal, cervical, head and neck, vaginal, vulvar, and penile cancers.
A cancer diagnosis can bring fear, uncertainty, difficult decisions, and a lot of questions. Whether you are newly diagnosed, in treatment, recovering, or years beyond treatment, you deserve information that is understandable, compassionate, and free from shame or stigma.
Luna Wellness is here to help make these conversations a little easier.
Anal Cancer
What Is Anal Cancer?
Anal cancer develops in the tissues of the anus. Most anal cancers are associated with high-risk HPV infection.
Symptoms
Symptoms can include anal bleeding, pain or pressure, itching, a lump or growth, changes in bowel habits, or discharge. Some people have no symptoms, which is why awareness and appropriate screening can be important for people at increased risk.
Diagnosis
Anal cancer may be evaluated through a physical examination, digital anal examination, anoscopy or high-resolution anoscopy, biopsy, and imaging or other testing to determine the extent of disease.
Treatment
Treatment depends on the type and stage of cancer and may include radiation, chemotherapy, surgery, or a combination of treatments. Your oncology team will help determine the approach that is right for you.
Living With Anal Cancer
Living with anal cancer can involve much more than treatment itself. Recovery may include managing changes in bowel function, sexual health, body image, pain, fatigue, and emotional well-being.
Resources & Support
You do not have to navigate anal cancer alone. Support may include oncology care, primary care, colorectal specialists, pelvic health professionals, mental health support, sexual health care, and survivor communities.
Cervical Cancer
What Is Cervical Cancer?
Cervical cancer develops in the cervix, the lower portion of the uterus. Persistent infection with high-risk HPV is the primary cause of cervical cancer.
Symptoms
Early cervical cancer may cause no symptoms. Possible symptoms include abnormal vaginal bleeding, bleeding after sex, unusual vaginal discharge, pelvic pain, or pain during sex.
Diagnosis
Evaluation may include cervical screening, HPV testing, colposcopy, biopsy, and imaging or other testing when needed.
Treatment
Treatment depends on the stage and characteristics of the cancer and may include surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, targeted therapy, immunotherapy, or combinations of these treatments.
Living With Cervical Cancer
Life after cervical cancer treatment can involve physical and emotional changes, including effects on fertility, sexual health, menopause, bladder or bowel function, and relationships.
Resources & Support
Survivorship care may include gynecologic oncology, primary care, sexual health care, pelvic health, fertility counseling, mental health support, and peer or survivor communities.
HPV-Related Head & Neck Cancers
What Are HPV-Related Head & Neck Cancers?
HPV can contribute to cancers of the oropharynx, including cancers involving the tonsils and base of the tongue. HPV-associated oropharyngeal cancers are among the most common HPV-related cancers.
Symptoms
Symptoms may include a persistent sore throat, difficulty or pain with swallowing, ear pain, a lump in the neck, unexplained weight loss, voice changes, or a persistent lump or lesion in the mouth or throat.
Diagnosis
Evaluation may include examination of the mouth and throat, imaging, endoscopy, biopsy, and testing of tumor tissue for HPV-related markers.
Treatment
Treatment may include surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, targeted therapy, immunotherapy, or combinations of these treatments, depending on the location and stage of the cancer.
Living With Head & Neck Cancer
Treatment can affect swallowing, speech, taste, nutrition, appearance, dental health, and quality of life. Recovery and survivorship may involve ongoing rehabilitation and support.
Resources & Support
Survivorship care may involve oncology, ENT/head and neck specialists, speech and swallowing therapy, nutrition, dental care, mental health support, and survivor communities.
Vaginal Cancer
What Is Vaginal Cancer?
Vaginal cancer develops in the tissues of the vagina. Some types of vaginal cancer are associated with high-risk HPV infection.
Symptoms
Symptoms may include abnormal vaginal bleeding or discharge, bleeding after sex, pain during sex, pelvic pain, or a mass or lesion.
Diagnosis
Evaluation may include a pelvic examination, biopsy, imaging, and other testing to determine the type and extent of cancer.
Treatment
Treatment depends on the type, location, and stage of cancer and may include radiation, surgery, chemotherapy, or combinations of treatments.
Living With Vaginal Cancer
Recovery may involve changes in sexual health, vaginal health, pelvic function, fertility, body image, and emotional well-being.
Resources & Support
Support may include gynecologic oncology, pelvic health specialists, sexual health care, mental health professionals, and survivor support.
Vulvar Cancer
What Is Vulvar Cancer?
Vulvar cancer develops in the external genital tissues. Some vulvar cancers are associated with persistent high-risk HPV infection.
Symptoms
Symptoms may include persistent itching, burning, pain, skin changes, sores, bleeding, a lump, or an area of skin that looks or feels different.
Diagnosis
Evaluation may include examination of the vulva and biopsy of an abnormal area. Additional imaging or testing may be recommended depending on the diagnosis.
Treatment
Treatment may include surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, or a combination of treatments depending on the type and stage of cancer.
Living With Vulvar Cancer
Treatment and recovery can affect body image, sexual health, comfort, mobility, and emotional well-being. These concerns are important parts of survivorship care.
Resources & Support
Survivorship may include gynecologic oncology, pelvic health, sexual health care, mental health support, and survivor communities.
Penile Cancer
What Is Penile Cancer?
Penile cancer develops in the tissues of the penis. Some penile cancers are associated with persistent high-risk HPV infection.
Symptoms
Symptoms may include a lump, sore, ulcer, skin thickening or discoloration, bleeding, discharge, or changes in the appearance of the penis that do not go away.
Diagnosis
Evaluation may include a physical examination, biopsy, imaging, and additional testing to determine the extent of disease.
Treatment
Treatment depends on the type and stage of cancer and may include surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, targeted therapy, or combinations of treatments.
Living With Penile Cancer
Treatment can affect body image, sexual function, urination, relationships, and emotional well-being. Survivorship care should address these concerns alongside cancer surveillance.
Resources & Support
Support may include oncology, urology, sexual health care, mental health professionals, and survivor communities.
Living With and Beyond HPV-Related Cancer
A cancer diagnosis does not end when treatment ends.
For some people, cancer becomes part of a lifelong health journey. Survivorship can mean returning to everyday life, adjusting to changes caused by treatment, managing long-term effects, watching for recurrence, or simply learning how to feel like yourself again.
There may be questions about sex, relationships, fertility, menopause, bowel or bladder function, pain, fatigue, body image, anxiety, or the fear that cancer could return.
These conversations matter.
You deserve care that addresses the whole person—not just the cancer.
We remember those we have lost. We honor those living with cancer and those finding their way through survivorship. And we believe no one should have to navigate HPV-related cancer in silence, shame, or isolation.
There is life beyond a diagnosis.
There is community beyond the silence.
And there is hope beyond cancer.
Treatment options
Chemoradiation (combination of chemotherapy and radiation therapy).
Surgery, in some cases.
Participation in clinical trials for new therapies.
Supportive care to manage symptoms and side effects.
Caring for yourself or a loved one before treatment
Get informed about the treatment plan and expected side effects.
Arrange support at home (meals, childcare, transportation).
Focus on nutrition, hydration, and rest to prepare your body.
Address emotional health—counseling, support groups, or journaling.
Talking with your family and friends
Use simple language to explain the diagnosis and what it means.
Share how they can support you—practical help, rides, meals, or just listening.
Remember, it’s okay to set boundaries about what you do or don’t want to discuss.
Caring for yourself or a loved one during treatment
Manage side effects with your care team’s guidance (skin care, fatigue, bowel changes).
Keep track of symptoms and report them early.
Accept help—this is not the time to “do it all.”
Stay connected with loved ones for emotional support.
Caring for yourself or a loved one after treatment
Attend regular follow-up visits and screenings.
Practice self-care: exercise, balanced meals, and stress reduction.
Be patient—healing takes time, both physically and emotionally.
Reach out for survivorship resources or support groups.
Healing
Healing is more than physical—emotional, sexual, and spiritual recovery are important.
Explore therapies like counseling, pelvic floor therapy, or mindfulness practices.
Reconnect with activities and relationships that bring joy.
Give yourself permission to move forward at your own pace.
Let’s make anal cancer a hot topic.
Few words make people more uncomfortable than 'anus' and 'cancer'. But silence around these topics has real consequences: delayed diagnoses, missed prevention, social isolation and worse outcomes for those living with anal cancer. Breaking the stigma starts with open conversation—conversation that can save lives.
