Cervical cancer survivor thankful for immunotherapy clinical trial
Looking back, Paulette Burkhart believes the fatigue she began experiencing in 2023 was not because she needed to take vitamins or get more sleep. When she also started having abnormal vaginal bleeding the following year, she knew something was wrong.
She made an appointment with her gynecologist for a Pap test. The doctor suspected cancer, so Paulette had an MRI and biopsy. The symptoms she’d been having turned out to be caused...
What is dysplasia?
“Dysplasia” is the scientific term for “abnormal cells,” which don’t look the way they’re supposed to under a microscope. These abnormal cells...
‘How I knew I had cervical cancer’: 4 survivors describe their symptoms
Like many women diagnosed with cervical cancer, Linda Emery didn’t initially have any symptoms. She didn’t even know she had the disease...
Stage III cervical cancer survivor: Why I no longer skip my well-woman exams
When I was diagnosed with stage III cervical cancer this past spring, it came as a shock. I hadn’t been feeling well for several months, but I never expected it to be cancer. There’s absolutely no history of that disease in my family.
Before my diagnosis, I rode about 30 horses a day as a professional trainer. But I’ve been working in this field for more than 20 years. So, I attributed the hip pain I’d been feeling...
What is a total pelvic exenteration?
“Exenteration” refers to a complex surgery in which organs, bones and other structures are removed from the pelvis in order to treat cancer...
10 cancer symptoms women shouldn't ignore
If you’re a relatively healthy young woman, cancer may not even be on your radar yet. But it should be, regardless of your age or family history...
When should you worry about your menstrual cycle?
Abnormal vaginal bleeding can be a symptom of several gynecologic cancers, including cervical, endometrial (uterine) and vaginal. But if you...
What are polyps?
You may already have heard about colon polyps. These abnormal cell growths are more likely to develop as we age. They occur in the colon and...
Demystifying the well-woman: What to expect during this annual exam
If you’ve never had a well-woman exam before, you might be wondering what to expect. Is it similar to an annual physical? Which parts of your...
Committed to making cervical cancer screening easier
When it comes to eliminating cervical cancer, prevention and screening are vital. Behavioral science and cancer researcher Jane Montealegre...