165: Athena Porter survived cervical cancer | radical hysterectomy | endocervical adenocarcinoma | HPV+

After close to a decade of abnormal pap smears, a Cone Biopsy indicated Athena Porter had cervical cancer.  To make sure her diagnosis of endocervical adenocarcinoma didn't spread, she opted for a radical hysterectomy.  With the procedure, her cervix was not the only vital organ removed.  A wife and mother to two daughters, Athena feels blessed that she can return to work on her Iowa farm.    In 2012, she went in for an annual wellness exam.  A pap smear indicated she was HPV+.  Her doctor told Athena a worst-case scenario was cancer, but the virus would likely go away on its own.  She was asked to return in a year.  When she came back, she was still HPV+,  so she underwent a colposcopy, an attempt to get a better look at cells on her cervix.   This led to a LEEP procedure in which cells on her cervix were removed.  The virus was still there, but the procedure showed clean margins.  After more years of being HPV+, in late 2022, Athena underwent a Cone Biopsy, in which a device resembling an ice cream scoop removed cells on her cervix, cells that were sent to the Mayo Clinic.  In early 2023, results came back.  Athena received a phone call at work telling her she had cervical cancer.   Her doctor said by way of treatment, Athena could have only her cervix removed, but she opted for a radical hysterectomy, which would come close to guaranteeing the cancer wouldn't spread.  The hysterectomy removed her cervix, her uterus, the top part of her vagina and her fallopian tubes.  This move came after she and her husband decided their family, including two young daughters, was complete, and that they were okay with having no more children.   Athena was in the hospital for four or five days, then after she was discharged, even with medication, she experienced severe pain when she would stretch or twist.    Athena reached survivorship, and though she would admit her health is not what it was prior to her diagnosis, she feels blessed to be able to return to her office job and work on her Iowa farm.  She also feels blessed that her cancer journey was not as severe as that of others who have also been diagnosed with cervical cancer.   By way of advice, she strongly advises women to get screened for cervical cancer and to get the HPV vaccine.   Additional Resources:   Support Group: Cervivor  https://www.cervivor.org