Natasha expected birthday plans. Instead, days before she turned 30, she heard the words no one wants: cervical cancer.
At first, she missed the clues because they sounded familiar. She already lived with unpredictable periods. So when spotting showed up between cycles, she brushed it off. Then sex started to hurt. She blamed “bad period pain” and carried on. Next came a bone-deep tiredness that sleep didn’t fix. Finally, a constant lower back and pelvic ache settled in. She even linked it to an old epidural from childbirth.
Later, Natasha realized those “small” changes deserved a proper check. Now she shares her story online with one clear message: don’t ignore persistent symptoms, and don’t skip your smear test. She also reminds women that abnormal bleeding can include spotting between periods, bleeding after sex, heavier flow, or longer periods than usual.
Natasha is now in remission. However, treatment came with a heavy cost. Surgery removed her womb and other surrounding tissue, which ended her ability to have more children. Even so, she speaks with gratitude, not regret.
Her takeaway is simple and kind. Listen to your body. Notice patterns. And if something feels off and keeps happening, book the appointment. Screening and prevention, including the HPV vaccine, save lives.
