Cervivor

Breast Cancer Awareness Month (BCAM) may be painted pink, but within the Cervivor community, the connections between breast and cervical cancer run deep.

Some Cervivors have faced both cancers. Others are navigating increased breast cancer risk because of a genetic mutation. And for some, keeping up with cervical cancer screening has opened the door to breast care they needed, too.

In our latest blog, Cervivor community members Kadiana Vegee, Lauren Lastauskas, Karen North, and Dr. Lillian Shelton share experiences that show where these cancer communities intersect — and why prevention, screening, access to care, survivorship, and advocacy shouldn’t exist in separate silos.

We also look at resources helping people access breast and cervical cancer screening, including the National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program (NBCCEDP), and the advocates working to protect that access.

Because when it comes to cancer, our health — and our advocacy — doesn’t fit neatly into one diagnosis.

https://cervivor.org/breast-cancer-awareness-cervivors/

Above the Waist, Below the Waist: Why Breast Cancer Awareness Matters to Cervivors - Cervivor Learn why Breast Cancer Awareness Month matters to cervical cancer survivors through personal stories, shared barriers, and free screening resources.

𝐌𝐞𝐞𝐭 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐌𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐲

During 𝐇i𝐬p𝐚n𝐢c H𝐞r𝐢t𝐚g𝐞 𝐌o𝐧t𝐡, we’re proud to spotlight Melissa Gonzalez Suarez, a three-time endometrial cancer survivor who recently joined us in Scottsdale for Cervivor’s Gynecological Cancer Survivors Retreat & Advocacy Training Powered by Cervivor School.

Melissa was 38 when what she expected to be a routine fertility appointment in Puerto Rico led to a Stage II endometrial cancer diagnosis. After surgery and radiation, she later faced recurrence and additional treatment. Along the way, she also learned that she carries Lynch syndrome and a BRCA mutation — knowledge that continues to guide her care and her family’s health decisions.

Today, Melissa shares her story to raise awareness about genetic testing, early detection, clinical trials, survivorship, and self-advocacy.

“𝑰 𝒔𝒉𝒂𝒓𝒆 𝒎𝒚 𝒔𝒕𝒐𝒓𝒚 𝒕𝒐 𝒈𝒊𝒗𝒆 𝒉𝒐𝒑𝒆, 𝒓𝒂𝒊𝒔𝒆 𝒂𝒘𝒂𝒓𝒆𝒏𝒆𝒔𝒔, 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒆𝒏𝒔𝒖𝒓𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒏𝒐 𝒐𝒏𝒆 𝒇𝒂𝒄𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒄𝒂𝒏𝒄𝒆𝒓 𝒇𝒆𝒆𝒍𝒔 𝒂𝒍𝒐𝒏𝒆.”

This Hispanic Heritage Month, we celebrate Melissa and the power of survivors using their voices and lived experiences to inform, empower, and create change.

On this day in 1951, Henrietta Lacks passed away from cervical cancer at just 31 years old.

Though her life was cut far too short, her impact has been immeasurable. Her HeLa cells, taken without her knowledge or consent, changed the course of medical research and helped drive countless scientific breakthroughs.

Today, we honor Henrietta not just for what her cells made possible, but for who she was. We remember the woman behind the science, and we uplift her name, her story, and her lasting legacy.

Rest in power, Henrietta Lacks. 🩵🤍🕊️

The October Survivor Slimdown Challenge is HERE!

It will be your choice. You will choose what movement you will do for the day. "This or That."

Remember you do not have to the number of repetitions all at once. You can break them up during the day. Modifications are accepted and encouraged.

SUNDAY is your rest day.
We have approximately 90 days to finish the year 2026 - let's finish this year strongly.

Who's in? 🙋‍♀️ Let's do this!

As Gynecologic Cancer Awareness Month comes to a close, we want to say thank you to every survivor, advocate, caregiver, partner, and supporter who showed up this September. 💜🩵🤍🧡

You shared your stories. You started conversations. You raised awareness. You learned, connected, advocated, and helped make space for every gynecologic cancer and every person affected by one.

GCAM may end today, but our commitment doesn’t. We’ll keep speaking up, sharing resources, supporting survivors, and pushing for greater awareness, better care, and a future where no one facing a gynecologic cancer feels unseen or unheard.

Keep sharing. Keep advocating. Keep showing up for one another. We’re just getting started.

On the final day of GCAM, it's time for a last bit of .

Cervical cancer is one of the most preventable and treatable forms of cancer when caught early, yet thousands of individuals continue to receive a diagnosis each year.

Over 90% of cervical cancers are caused by persistent infections with high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV), a common virus that most people will be exposed to at some point in their lives.

When cervical cancer is identified at an early, localized stage, the 5-year relative survival rate is over 90%.

We have two powerful, proven tools to eliminate cervical cancer:
Primary Prevention: The HPV vaccine protects against the high-risk types of HPV responsible for the majority of cervical, vulvar, vaginal, and other HPV-related cancers.

Early Detection: Regular cervical screening (Pap tests and primary HPV DNA testing) detects precancerous cell changes on the cervix long before they turn into cancer, allowing for effective treatment.

Prioritize your routine screening, discuss HPV vaccination with your healthcare provider, and stay empowered through preventive care.

𝐀𝐬 𝐆𝐲𝐧𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐢𝐜 𝐂𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐫 𝐀𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐌𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐡 comes to a close, Cervivor Ambassador Virginia “Ginny” Marable is sharing a story she wishes she didn’t have to tell. 🩵🤍💜🧡

On August 2, Ginny lost her beloved Aunt Susie — her “second mom” — to clear cell uterine cancer at just 67 years old.
Susie had been one of Ginny’s fiercest supporters through her own cervical cancer experience. When Susie was diagnosed with a gynecologic cancer of her own, Ginny had the chance to show up for her, too.

Now, while her grief is still fresh, Ginny is sharing Susie’s story in the hope that it might help someone else recognize when something isn’t right, ask questions, and keep pushing for answers.

“𝑲𝒏𝒐𝒘 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒃𝒐𝒅𝒚, 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒔𝒑𝒆𝒂𝒌 𝒖𝒑 𝒘𝒉𝒆𝒏 𝒔𝒐𝒎𝒆𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒏𝒈𝒆𝒔. 𝑲𝒆𝒆𝒑 𝒂𝒔𝒌𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒒𝒖𝒆𝒔𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒔 𝒖𝒏𝒕𝒊𝒍 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒈𝒆𝒕 𝒂𝒏𝒔𝒘𝒆𝒓𝒔.”

Read Ginny’s moving tribute to Aunt Susie and help us honor her legacy by learning the name: clear cell uterine cancer.

🔗 Read the full story: https://cervivor.org/clear-cell-uterine-cancer-aunt-susie/

💜 Let’s talk about s*x after cancer.

Cancer changes so much—including how we experience our bodies, intimacy, relationships, and s*xuality. And these conversations deserve space, honesty, and zero shame.

Join us tomorrow, September 29 at 6 PM ET for S*x After Cancer, a safe and supportive conversation with Erin Sullivan Wagner about what intimacy can look like after a gynecologic cancer diagnosis.

Whether you have questions, are navigating changes in your body, or simply want to know you’re not alone—come as you are. 💜

📲 Join us via Zoom: Register here: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/8No5LxdJRq22T8ZkuSMQbg

Let’s talk about the things we don’t always talk about. Out loud. Without shame. Together.

*xAfterCancer