Diagnosis of Cervical Cancer After Misinterpretation of Symptoms

In early 2024, Melissa Sanders went through an unusually long menstrual period that lasted nearly three months. At 44, she believed this heavy bleeding was due to perimenopause, the phase leading up to menopause.

“Everyone kept saying I’m experiencing perimenopause,” recalls the now-46-year-old from Valley City, Ohio, in a conversation with TODAY.com. “I didn’t think much of it at first. I just dealt with it for two more months. But then I started feeling contractions.”

After seeing her doctor, Sanders was shocked to find out she had Stage 3 cervical cancer.

“I was sad,” she admits, “but I didn’t lose hope.”

Relentless Bleeding Accompanied by Pain

Initially attributing her constant bleeding to perimenopause, Sanders listened to the advice of family, who assured her it was a natural experience.

“My mom said, ‘Melissa, it’s something we all go through,’” she recounts. “But I thought, ‘I don’t remember you being in this much pain.’ I realized this couldn’t just be perimenopause.”

After months of severe, continuous bleeding, she also began to experience pain reminiscent of the contractions from when she gave birth to her three children.

“It got to the point where I couldn’t stand at work,” she recalls. “I was holding my stomach just to walk. It felt like my insides were going to fall out.”

In March 2024, she scheduled a Pap smear, realizing it had been 22 years since her last one.

“I never thought about myself,” Sanders explains. “As a single mom with three kids, I focused on them and work. Routine doctor visits just fell by the wayside.”

Shortly after her Pap smear, a biopsy was arranged but didn’t proceed as planned.

“They stopped the biopsy just two minutes in,” she shares. “I had cancerous tissue coming off my cervix; it was just falling away.”

The doctor could physically detect the mass, and subsequent MRI and PET scans confirmed her diagnosis of Stage 3 cervical cancer.

To treat the cancer, doctors recommended chemotherapy and radiation, which she endured for about six months. The harsh treatments took a heavy toll on her health.

“By my last radiation session, my son had to practically carry me,” Sanders says. “I was extremely weak.”

By September 2024, she completed her treatments. Though she’s gradually feeling better, ongoing weakness and pain remain an issue.

“I can’t stand for as long as I used to,” she reflects. “My legs and hips are weak. It’s like I have to rebuild my strength from the waist down.”

She is currently in physical therapy to regain her strength and undergoes regular blood work and scans to ensure she remains cancer-free. Fortunately, her scans have been clear since last year, although the treatments have pushed her into menopause.

“My doctor informed me that I won’t have another period for the rest of my life,” she comments. “I’ll be dealing with hot flashes.”

Understanding Cervical Cancer

Cervical cancer often arises from the human papillomavirus (HPV), which infects about 80% of people at some point. Though many resolve the virus, some may harbor it long-term, with around 12 strains considered high-risk for causing cervical cancer.

“A colleague of mine once referred to it as the common cold for the vagina,” Dr. Sudha Amarnath, a radiation oncologist, mentions in a discussion with TODAY.com.

While Pap smears and HPV screenings can detect precancerous changes, many women, including Sanders, are unaware of the importance of regular screenings.

“We often see this; many women neglect their health after they finish having children, concentrating on their family’s needs,” Amarnath explains. “Because we’ve all been exposed to HPV, it’s essential to monitor for any precancerous changes in the cervix.”

A Pap smear, which involves taking cell samples from the cervix, is a critical tool in cervical cancer screening. It’s recommended every three years for women aged 21 to 65.

“The aim is to catch any cell changes early, so they can be removed before turning into cancer,” Amarnath points out.

Early-stage cervical cancer might allow for surgical removal of the affected area, but larger or deeper tumors may require chemotherapy and radiation instead.

The encouraging aspect of cervical cancer is that it can often be prevented. The HPV vaccine is reported to be 97% effective against HPV-related cancers.

“We want to shout it from the rooftops—everyone ought to receive the HPV vaccine,” Amarnath emphasizes. “It protects against various high-risk HPV strains, thus offering defense against several cancers for both genders.”

‘Don’t Overlook Your Health’

Once Sanders began her cancer treatments, she had to stop caring for her granddaughter, Gracelynn, as her daughter wanted her to use that time for recovery. This shift was challenging for her, as Gracelynn had been a constant presence in her daily life.

“She used to be with me every day,” Sanders recalls. “I had her all the time.”

During treatment, Sanders spent a month away from home, facing feelings of isolation and sadness as she coped with her diagnosis.

“It was disheartening,” she adds. “I just wanted things to feel normal again.”

Post-treatment, Sanders has made health a priority, aiming to be there for Gracelynn as she grows.

“I need to prioritize myself,” she states. “I’m trying to lead a healthier lifestyle. Just recently, I walked three miles with my daughter and granddaughter.”

Sanders hopes that others take her experience to heart and don’t neglect necessary cancer screenings.

“So many people think life is too busy for health concerns, but it’s really not,” she asserts. “It’s vital to keep up with Pap smears and mammograms. Don’t overlook it.”