Amy had always kept herself informed on women’s health issues, particularly of ovarian and breast cancer, but she has never heard of cervical cancer. When she experienced bleeding for three weeks, she thought it was just a sign of menopause but she went to the doctor to make sure. Her heart sank when she was told that she has cervical cancer – stage 3. She then underwent a regimen of radiation treatments in combination with chemotherapy.

Amy remembered thinking about all the things that she could not resume as if life were “business as usual” – her job, her constant caring for her family, her friends and her community. Those things would have to wait because this was the most pressing thing that she has ever had to confront so intimately.

She thought it was ironic that it was all that waiting and praying for strength that she had to go through, not knowing about cervical cancer that she is now telling other women: Don’t wait because cervical cancer kills. She knows that they need not wait because regular check-ups and screening, as well as a transformation to a healthy lifestyle could begin now. Early detection and immediate treatment could prevent the risk that the unknown future could bring.