January is Cervical Cancer Awareness Month, dedicated to education, prevention, and early detection—but also to the lived experiences of those who have faced this diagnosis firsthand. For many patients, cervical cancer doesn’t begin with dramatic symptoms or certainty. It begins quietly, in routine appointments, subtle bodily changes, and moments that are easy to dismiss.

For Mila, it began with shock so profound she couldn’t even say the word cancer out loud.

Sitting in the exam room, she stared at the floor while her doctor explained next steps. She couldn’t look up—not at her physician, not at her boyfriend—because she knew the moment she did, she would break down. That initial silence is something many patients recognize: the mind protecting itself while reality settles in.

The Signs That Didn’t Seem Urgent—Until They Were

Months before her diagnosis, Mila noticed a small lump on her cervix. It wasn’t painful. It didn’t interfere with daily life. Later came bleeding after sex—something she did not know was one of the most common warning signs of cervical cancer.

A routine Pap smear eventually showed abnormal results. Because Mila had previously tested positive for HPV, she assumed the findings were related and manageable. Like many young adults, she was busy: starting a new job, planning travel, living life. A recommended follow-up colposcopy was delayed—not out of denial, but because it didn’t feel urgent.

This is a reality many patients face and one reason Cervical Cancer Awareness Month matters. Awareness is not just about knowing symptoms—it’s about understanding when not to wait.

Diagnosis and a Rapid Shift Forward

When Mila finally returned for her follow-up, her doctor asked her to bring someone with her. At the time, it didn’t feel alarming. In hindsight, it was a sign of what was coming.

She was diagnosed with stage 1B1 cervical cancer. The tumor was small enough that she qualified for a radical trachelectomy—a surgery that removes part of the cervix while preserving the uterus. Because her surgeon had specialized training and access to advanced technology, Mila was able to avoid an immediate hysterectomy.

But cancer rarely follows a straight line. When her lymph node results came back, two showed metastasis. In that moment, her treatment plan changed. Chemotherapy and daily pelvic radiation were added immediately.

Asking the Question That Changed Everything

One of the most critical moments in Mila’s journey came when she asked a question no one else raised: What about my fertility?

Knowing that chemotherapy and radiation could permanently affect her ability to have children, she pushed the conversation forward herself. Because her cancer was not highly aggressive, her care team allowed her to delay treatment long enough to undergo one cycle of IVF.

For caregivers, this moment is especially important. Patients are often overwhelmed and may not know what to ask. Advocacy—by the patient or by someone standing beside them—can alter the course of a life.

The Reality of Chemo and Radiation

Radiation became Mila’s daily routine—25 weekday sessions. The procedure itself was painless, but the effects accumulated. Her skin became fragile and sensitive. Pelvic radiation made intimacy painful. Fatigue set in.

Chemotherapy brought its own challenges: nausea, extreme sensitivity to smells, loss of taste, weight loss, and exhaustion that arrived days after treatment when steroids wore off. Despite anti-nausea medications, very little helped. What ultimately allowed her to eat and sleep was medical cannabis in edible form.

Outwardly, Mila appeared functional. She continued working, answering emails during infusions, attending calls. Internally, her body moved through predictable cycles of decline and brief recovery. This contrast is something caregivers often witness and struggle to understand—how someone can look “fine” while feeling anything but.

Wanting Control Over Who Knows

Keeping her hair became deeply important to Mila. Using cold caps during chemotherapy allowed her to preserve it, even though she lost her eyebrows and eyelashes. For her, hair symbolized health—and privacy.

She wanted control over who knew she had cancer and when. When people later responded with, “But you look healthy,” it felt dismissive and painful. Appearance does not reflect diagnosis, suffering, or survival. During Cervical Cancer Awareness Month, this is a crucial reminder: words matter, and assumptions can harm.

Recovery Is Not the Same as “Back to Normal”

When treatment ended, life didn’t instantly return to what it was before. Fatigue lingered. Follow-up appointments became routine. Mila began pelvic physical therapy to address scar tissue and muscle constriction caused by surgery and radiation.

Without ongoing care and specific exercises, long-term complications were possible. Survivorship required continued effort, patience, and support. Cancer may have ended, but healing was still in progress.

The Overlooked Strain of Medical Bills

One of the most unexpected burdens was financial. Multiple bills from different providers, insurance discrepancies, and confusing charges created ongoing stress.

Mila learned to track appointments in spreadsheets, keep reference numbers, and call insurance companies repeatedly to correct errors. Without persistent follow-up, small mistakes could cost thousands of dollars.

Financial advocacy became another part of survival—one rarely discussed, but deeply felt by patients and caregivers alike.

Why Self-Advocacy Matters

Mila’s message is clear: self-advocacy is not optional—it is essential.

That means:

Seeking second opinions
Researching treatment options
Asking questions before appointments
Speaking up when something feels wrong
Refusing to let concerns be dismissed

Doctors follow protocols. Patients live in their bodies. The best care happens when both voices are heard.

Looking Back From the Other Side

Cancer was the hardest chapter of Mila’s life, but it did not define the rest of it. Today, the experience sits firmly in her rearview mirror. It reshaped her priorities, her resilience, and her understanding of what truly matters.

During Cervical Cancer Awareness Month, her story stands as a reminder: this journey is brutal, exhausting, and deeply personal—but it is survivable.

If you are a patient or a caregiver reading this, know this truth above all else: there will be a day when this feels farther away. And on that day, the most important thing will remain—you are here.

**About the Patient Story**

**The Patient Story** shares authentic patient experiences with compassion and scientific rigor. Starting with cancer and expanding to other conditions, the platform combines patient narratives with medically vetted information on symptoms, clinical trials, insurance, and support—presented in a human-centered way.

For more information on how HuMOLYTE can support your gut health during chemotherapy, visit our product page or consult your health care provider.

This blog was reviewed by Dr. Sourabh Kharait.

This blog is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Always consult with your healthcare provider before making any changes to your treatment plan, hydration strategies, or diet. The information provided here is based on general insights and may not apply to individual circumstances.

January Is Cervical Cancer Awareness Month: One Survivor’s Story