Cervical Cancer Stories
Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatment

Cervical cancer develops in the cells that line the cervix (lower area of the uterus). Different strains of the human papillomavirus (HPV), a sexually transmitted infection, can increase the risk of cervical cancer. There are three main types of this cancer:

• Squamous: About 90% of cervical cancers that originate most often in the transformation zone.
• Adenocarcinoma: Make up most other cases, develop from grand cells.
• Adenosquamous: Carcinomas or mixed carcinomas: the least common, a mix of the first two.

Explore below for in-depth cervical cancer stories from our community members who share everything from first symptoms to navigating life with cancer.

Squamous

Mila Lazarevsky, Squamous, Stage 1B



1st Symptoms: Abnormal lump in cervix area, bleeding after sex
Treatment: Chemotherapy (Cisplatin), radiation, adjuvant chemotherapy (Carboplatin + Paclitaxel

Marissa, Squamous, Stage 3B



1st Symptoms: Excessive and prolonged vaginal bleeding
Treatment: Chemotherapy (Cisplatin), radiation, brachytherapy

Brittany Wagner, Squamous Cell, Stage 4B



1st Symptoms: Spotting after sex, eventual significant bleeding at random
Treatment: Chemotherapy (Cisplatin) concurrent with radiation, 6 rounds adjuvant chemo, 2nd round radiation, immunotherapy trial, targeted therapy

Adenocarcinoma

Kristine Madzia, Adenocarcinoma, Stage 2B



1st Symptoms: Tumor found during postpartum pap smear
Treatment: Colposcopy with endocervical curettage, cone biopsy, total abdominal radical open hysterectomy with lymph node removal

Adenosquamous