V’s Cervical Cancer story: Discovering endometriosis & adenomyosis following a HPV and cervical cancer diagnosis, lifesaving treatment and navigating high-risk pregnancy

In this episode, we sit down with Vijaya Varilly, now an Eve Appeal Ambassador, who faced a life-changing diagnosis at the age of 31, just before the start of the 2020 pandemic. V shares her private and honest journey—from her heavy periods and pain being dismissed by doctors, which was later discovered to be endometriosis and adenomyosis, to then receiving the news regarding a rare cervical cancer diagnosis, threatening her life as she knew it and dreams of becoming a mother.We dive deep into the stigmas surrounding HPV, especially within the Southeast Asian communities, the complexities of a rare cancer that smear tests often miss, and her incredible resilience she used to navigate treatment, IVF and a high-risk pregnancy. Cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer among women globally, claiming 350,000 lives every year. However the HPV vaccine and regular screenings could mean it is a disease that could be eradicated within our lifetime.In This Episode, We Discuss:The Warning Signs: Why you shouldn’t ignore heavy bleeding, even if your smear test comes back clear.The Rare Detection: Understanding adenocarcinoma, a type of cervical cancer that develops in the canal and is harder to detect.Breaking the Stigma: Confronting the shame associated with HPV and the cultural barriers within the South Asian community.The Path to Dylan: V’s fertility journey, including unexplained infertility, successful IVF, and the "emergency stitch" that saved her pregnancy.Advocacy in Action: How V turned her trauma into the award-winning "Don't Miss Your Pap" campaign to help bridge the gap between the 5 million women who have missed their screenings.We've reached 1 million + views across all platforms, proudly covering some of the most chronic and confusing conditions and diseases that disproportionately affect women. Help us keep the podcast going by following us on Instagram or TikTok, or subscribe via YouTube.