Cervical Cancer Survivor Series
In honor of Cervical Health Awareness Month, the National Cervical Cancer Coalition presents the Cervical Cancer Survivor Series. Across eight episodes, we share stories from cervical cancer survivors across the country, touching on topics including diagnosis, treatment, and survivorship, as well as advice for others whose lives are impacted by this preventable disease. We also talked to providers in the field to answer questions about screening prevention and treatment.
Episodes from the series will be released over four weeks in January. Tune in each Wednesday to hear from NCCC chapter leaders, cervical cancer advocates, and health care providers, all sharing their insight and expertise. New episodes will be made available here each week as they are released.
January 1
Episode One: Selena Rushton
In this episode we speak to NCCC chapter leader Selena Rushton about her survivorship story, and the many complications she experienced during her treatment. After her cancer returned. Selina was told she only had months to live. That was eight years ago.
Episode Two: Cherlya Thompson
In this episode we speak to Cherlya Thompson about the wonderful support she received during her cancer treatment, which took place far from home, and how that experience inspired her to help others. Cherlya also tells us about how she had to teach her grandchild’s pediatrician about the importance of the HPV vaccine.
January 8
Episode 3: Shaundra Hall
In this episode we speak to NCCC chapter leader Shaundra Hall. Shaundra tells us that her very first Pap test came back abnormal, but she still didn’t know anything about cervical cancer when she was diagnosed. She also talks about how this experience changed the course of her life, both personally and professionally.
To learn more about clinical trials, visit clinicaltrials.gov.
Episode 4: Jen English
In this episode we speak to NCCC chapter leader Jen English. Jen had a lot of experience in sexual health, and was comfortable talking about the topic, but she realized how much she didn’t know about HPV and cervical health when she was diagnosed with early stage cervical cancer. Her experience inspired her to become an NCCC chapter leader.
January 15
Episode 5: Aisha McClellan
In this episode, we speak to Aisha McClellan. Aisha went to a clinic with symptoms, and was sent home with antibiotics for an STI she didn’t have. It took three visits before she was diagnosed with cervical cancer. Aisha had to be her own advocate for health care, which inspired her to become an advocate on TikTok, where she has over 25,000 followers.
Episode 6: Barbara Moscicki, MD
In this episode we speak to Barbara Moscicki, a pediatrician and HPV expert. Dr. Moscicki explains cervical cancer screening in detail and helps us understand the follow-ups we may need if we have an abnormal result. She also talks about the importance of the HPV vaccine and the possibility that we could eliminate cervical cancer.
January 22
Episode 7: Brad Monk, MD
In this episode we speak to gynecological oncologist, Brad Monk. Dr. Monk leads clinical trials and has authored or co-authored over 300 peer-reviewed publications on cervical cancer, ovarian cancer, and other gynecologic cancers and also sees patients. We talked to Dr. Monk about finding a cancer expert and possible treatment options.
Episode 8: Survivors Share Their Advice
In this final episode, we hear from all of our survivors from this series—Jen English, Shaundra Hall, Aisha McClellan, Selena Rushton, and Cheryla Thompson. We talked to them about a range of topics, including advice they’ve received and would offer others after a diagnosis, how family and friends can best offer support to loved ones dealing with cancer, what they would say to anyone considering the HPV vaccine, and why they decided to become involved in advocacy.