In 2016, shortly after welcoming twin girls and celebrating her oldest daughter’s 3rd birthday, Anne was diagnosed with stage 1B2 cervical cancer.
After the birth of the twins, Anne began experiencing abnormal symptoms, and she wondered if they had to do with the tubal ligation she had with her c-section. After some testing and meeting with her doctors, she was scheduled for a procedure. When they tried to perform the procedure, they diagnosed her with cervical cancer. Her treatment involved chemotherapy, external radiation therapy, and brachytherapy. Anne completed treatment in November 2016, and in February 2017 a follow-up scan showed no sign of disease.
While cervical cancer is preventable, we need more education and research about how to prevent it. We can’t keep letting people face this in silence. The more families talk about it, the more lives we can save.
However, the emotional toll lingered. The treatment was difficult, and she feared leaving her children without a mother. Anne channeled her fear into action and became a cancer advocate with different organizations. She continues to use her voice to advocate for more education around cervical cancer and for increased investment in research funding.