In April of 2006, my doctor told me what he suspected. After a few tests, and one procedure later, it was confirmed. I, at age 34, had cervical cancer.
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Not only did I have cervical cancer, but in order to beat cancer at its own sadistic game, I would need a hysterectomy that would involve the removal of my cervix, uterus and possibly one or both of my ovaries. My mother, my rock, who attended every single doctor’s appointment I had over the next few months, supported me throughout diagnosis, treatment, and recovery. I am grateful to have had her by my side, because as a Human, the word “cancer” is enough to strike fear in your very soul. As a woman, the word “hysterectomy” will shake you to your core. Together, they are the stuff nightmares are made of.
I asked Dr. S.* the “normal” questions; why did I have cancer, where did it come from, why me, will it spread, will I die? As he explained, it occurred to me that no answer mattered, all that mattered was the simple fact that cancer was here, invading me, interfering with the raising of my child, taking over the essence of the woman that I am. Dr. S, asked me, almost begged me, to immediately make my appointments for follow-up, procedures, and eventually surgery. There was something in his tones, in his eyes, that was so…pleading. I felt the need to reassure him, “Dr. S., I value my life if not for my own selfish reasons, but for my daughter, I will be back.” My doctor very delicately informed me that in the past few years he has noticed that upon hearing the news of cancer, several of his patients have not returned either to him or another practice and upon further follow-up did not plan to…ever. Something compelled me to ask the race of these patients, and he almost embarrassingly said, “Black”.
I followed through with my appointment and surgery. I had a radical hysterectomy which required the removal of my cervix and my uterus. During surgery the doctor discovered that my left ovary had cancerous cells on it and this was removed also. I was left with one ovary. I spent one week in the hospital, five weeks on bed rest, and four more moving very slowly around my house. Three weeks after surgery my oncologist informed me that the cancer had not reached my lymph nodes. That was the news I was waiting to hear. If cancer had reached my lymph nodes, I would have had to endure radiation treatments and chemotherapy. It took almost one year before I began to feel “normal” again. I was thankful I was alive. I was also thankful that I had one remaining ovary. If both had been removed, my body would have immediately been launched into menopause, which would have required me to have hormone therapy to replace what my body could no longer make for itself. One ovary adapts itself to work as two, and usually can provide the body with the required amount of hormones needed to function properly.
According the American Cancer Society (ACS), cervical cancer occurs most in Hispanic women, the rate is over twice the rate in non-Hispanic white women. African-Americans develop cervical cancer 50% more than non-Hispanic whites. ACS estimates that in 2006, there were 2000 newly diagnosed cases in Hispanic women and 350 deaths due to pre-diagnosed cervical cancer. 2007 estimates for newly diagnosed cases of cervical cancer in African-American women are around 1,910. ACS also estimates that 720 African-American women will die from cervical cancer, (pre-diagnosed). Risk factors for cervical cancer include tobacco use and the Human Papillomavirus (HPV), which is contracted sexually. A woman who smokes is twice as likely to develop cervical cancer, than a non-smoker. Cervical cancer can also be hereditary. It is now, however being contracted even more rapidly due to the spread of HPV.
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HPV is a virus that is transmitted through sexual contact that can infect the genital tract and can increase the risk of developing dysplasia which is abnormal cell growth on the cervix. This can lead to cervical cancer. Thankfully, there is now a new vaccine for the HPV strain, recently approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Dr.S. informed me of the theory that if girls of all races, 9-26 years old receive the vaccine, that in 20 years or so, new cases of cervical cancer in America, will be at a minimum, if not eradicated. This information is vital and important to all women.
It is also important for women to have a regularly scheduled check-up with a Gynecologist. Screening for cervical cancer, A PAP test, is part of the normal routine in a gynecological exam. Having regularly scheduled PAP tests, at least once per year is of utmost importance. My lack of surprise at Dr.S. realizing that his African-American patients do not return for treatment should not exist. Today I am 100% cancer-free, and I freely tell my story in an effort to educate and motivate other women to help combat this disease. We are a race of people that can triumph of over all when strength, will and intelligence are applied, we are also a race that proves the stereotypical belief that “Blacks don’t like going to the doctor”. We must end this way of thinking in order to survive. I refused to succumb to cervical cancer because of ignorance or because I was scared. Help spread the word to a woman that you love, be it your mother, your sister or your daughter, to go to the doctor, get checked, get treatment, and live.
Kimberly Hunter is a free-lance writer, poet, and author of the online blog “Ninjagirrl in Motion” (http://www.ninjagirrl.blogspot.com). She resides in Rochester, NY, where she is raising her daughter, while working in education and pursuing a dual B.A. in Communication/Journalism and English.
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