Published Mar 7, 2026

35-Year-Old Mom Diagnosed With Cervical Cancer After Bleeding During Sex Was Dismissed As IUD Issue- Knowing When To Push Your Doctor

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Learning About Cervical Cancer

A Kansas mom was diagnosed with stage 3 cervical cancer at 35 after bleeding during sex—a symptom which was initially blamed on her IUD. However, the bleeding turned out to be from a hemorrhaging tumor. After being given less than a year to live, a clinical trial using her own immune cells helped eliminate the cancer, and she has now been cancer-free for 13 years.
Cervical cancer begins in the cells lining the cervix, the lower part of the womb (uterus). It usually develops slowly, however, before cancer presents itself. Vaginal bleeding or pelvic pain are common symptoms.
More than 70% of cases of cervical cancer are caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV). More than 90% of HPV-related cancers, including cervical cancer, are preventable in people who get the HPV vaccine that is recommended for all preteens (both girls and boys), 11 to 12 years old.
The human papillomavirus, or HPV, is a group of more than 200 related viruses, some of which are spread through vaginal, anal, or oral sex, according to the National Cancer Institute. It can cause a handful of cancers, including cervical and throat cancers.
Clinical trials can be an option for people with cancer at many points during the treatment process. Your doctor may have spoken with you about possibly enrolling in a trial if you have advanced disease or if there’s a drug that’s currently considered investigational that may work better than the standard for you.
If you’re looking for a clinical trial, check out our SurvivorNet Clinical Trial Finder.

When Aricca Wallace, a mom of two from Kansas, first noticed bleeding during sex when she was 33 years old, her gynecologist suspected the symptom to be related to her intrauterine device (IUD) [a hormonal birth control method]. However, two years later, when her children were just 8 and 12, she discovered the bleeding was actually caused by a hemorrhaging tumor the size of a large orange.

Wallace was diagnosed with stage 3 cervical cancer at age 35, despite never missing her annual pap smears, she told USA Today in a recent interview.

After completing 18 rounds of chemotherapy and 31 sessions of radiation, follow-up scans revealed that the cancer had spread, and she was subsequently told she had less than a year to live.

Months later, she was informed of a new clinical trial in Maryland testing cervical cancer treatment.

Now, 49 and cancer free for 13 years, she’s choosing to share her store to raise awareness about the disease and clinical trials, like the one that saved her life.

“You have to be mentally strong. You have to be faithfully strong. My mindset was, it’s not up to a doctor of when my time here’s done,” Wallace told USA Today.

“It’s not. I mean, they can tell me scientifically that they don’t have anything that can help me and that I’m going to be gone in a year. But ultimately, that’s not their call.”

As part of the clinical trial, Wallace’s surgeon removed one of her tumors and used it to grow immune cells known as T cells. The most effective of those cells were then infused back into her body to help attack the remaining cancer.

CAR T Cell Therapy — Where and How to Access the Lifesaving ‘Living Drug’

CAR T‑cell therapy reengineers a patient’s own T cells to recognize and attack cancer, with experts noting it essentially gives immune cells “eyes” to seek out tumors — leading to remarkable response rates, including complete remissions in patients who had exhausted multiple prior treatments.

What to Know Before Enrolling in a Clinical Trial

Recounting how she wasn’t certain whether the clinical trial would work, Wallace told USA Today, “I needed to make sure that, if this was going to take me, I had proven to my kids and family that I had thrown the kitchen sink at it, and I’d given everything that I could.

“If it worked, then amazing, we did it. And if it didn’t? Then they knew I went down with a big fight.”

Wallace, who was diagnosed in the spring of 2012, happily learned that in September of that year more than half of her tumors were gone.

By December 2012 she was declared cancer free. Now, she’s a grandmother of two, and forever grateful for the treatment path she decided to take.

“Holding my grandson that’s 2 for the first time two years ago was pretty surreal for me and for my husband, because we just didn’t think we’d be here,” she said.

“But we are. And just enjoying life and just continuing to tell people to advocate for themselves and trying to continue to be an inspiration to others.”

Recounting how Wallace’s son thanked her surgeon for saving her, she recalled telling her doctor, “That’s what you guys are doing. You researchers, you’re saving moms. You’re saving wives. You’re saving grandmas.”

Understanding Cervical Cancer & Pap Smears

Cervical cancer begins in the cells lining the cervix the lower part of the womb (uterus). Treatment options for cervical cancer include surgery, chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy.

It’s important to note that HPV (human papillomavirus), a sexually-transmitted virus, causes more than 70% of cervical cancer cases. Most cases of cervical cancer can be prevented with the HPV vaccine.

Additionally, other risk factors like smoking can make you about twice as likely to get cervical cancer as those who don’t smoke.

Cervical cancer screening is critically important because an earlier diagnosis can mean a better prognosis with broader treatment options.

The American Cancer Society recommends that cervical cancer screening begins at age 25, and people aged 25 to 65 should have a primary HPV test, an HPV test done by itself for screening, every five years. If primary HPV testing is not available, however, screening may be done with either a co-test that combines an HPV test with a Papanicolaou (Pap) test every five years or a Pap test alone every three years.

The most common symptoms of cervical cancer include:

Abnormal vaginal bleeding, such as bleeding after vaginal sex, bleeding after menopause, after douching, bleeding and spotting in between periods or having heavier or longer (menstrual) periods than usual
Unusual discharge from the vagina that may contain some blood and may occur between your periods or after menopause
Pain during sex
Pain in the pelvic region

Pap smears are one way to detect cervical cancer early. During the test, a doctor will collect a sample of cells from your cervix (using a small brush or spatula). The cells are then examined under a microscope for abnormalities, including cancer and changes that could indicate pre-cancer.

This is an important procedure because symptoms of cervical cancer might show up until the disease is at stage 3 or 4. By helping doctors catch signs of the disease early, Pap smears can lead to broader and more effective treatment options.

One of the leading causes of cervical cancer is the human papillomavirus (HPV), one of the most common viruses which can be transmitted through sexual contact. HPV is the biggest risk factor for cervical cancer, and there are usually no early signs or symptoms of the disease. However, cervical cancer can be detected through regular check-ups, such as pap smears.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, it’s recommended that women start getting Pap tests at age 21. “If your Pap test result is normal, your doctor may tell you that you can wait three years until your next Pap test,” the CDC explains.

Meanwhile, anyone between 20 and 65 years old is urged to speak with their doctor on which testing option is best for them. The CDC explains, “An HPV test only. This is called primary HPV testing. If your result is normal, your doctor may tell you that you can wait five years until your next screening test.

“An HPV test along with the Pap test. This is called co-testing. If both of your results are normal, your doctor may tell you that you can wait five years until your next screening test. A Pap test only. If your result is normal, your doctor may tell you that you can wait three years until your next Pap test.”

For women older than age 65, the CDC says your doctor may suggest you don’t need further screenings if: “You have had at least three Pap tests or two HPV tests in the past 10 years, and the test results were normal or negative, and you have not had a cervical precancer in the past, or you have had your cervix removed as part of a total hysterectomy for non-cancerous conditions, like fibroids.”

The Importance of Routine Screenings For Cervical Cancer

Regular cervical cancer screenings play a vital role in the early detection and prevention of cervical cancer. SurvivorNet experts explain that timely cervical cancer screenings are essential because they:

Help identify abnormal cells early: Screenings can detect abnormal cervical cells (also called cervical dysplasia) before they turn into cancer. Early detection allows for timely interventions and treatment, preventing the progression to cervical cancer.
Reduce the risk of cervical cancer: Consistent and regular screenings have been shown to significantly decrease the risk of developing cervical cancer. The more often you get screened, the higher the chance of catching any abnormal cells early enough to treat them effectively.
Confidence in your health status: Regular screenings provide peace of mind, knowing you’re taking steps to safeguard your health. Whenever abnormal cells are detected and treated, it helps maintain your overall well-being and offers reassurance.

Despite the benefits of regular screenings, some people may neglect them due to factors such as a lack of awareness, fear, or procrastination. It’s essential to remember that both the Pap test and HPV test usually take only a few minutes, easily performable during a regular doctor’s visit. The best preventative measure against cervical cancer is attending regular screenings and updating your healthcare provider on any changes in your gynecological health.

Interpreting Your Screening Results

Once your cervical cancer screening is complete, you’ll receive your test results, which can be categorized into normal, abnormal, or inconclusive. It’s important to discuss the results with your healthcare provider to fully understand them and make informed decisions about any necessary follow-up care. Here’s a brief overview of what the results might indicate:

Normal results: If your screening results are normal, it means there were no significant changes or abnormalities detected in your cervical cells. This is good news and signifies that you are at low risk for developing cervical cancer. However, continue to attend regular screenings as recommended by your healthcare provider.
Abnormal results: Abnormal results do not necessarily indicate that you have cervical cancer but can indicate cell changes that may develop into cancer in the future. These changes can range from mild to severe. Based on the severity of the abnormalities, your healthcare provider may recommend further testing, monitoring, or treatment. Some examples of further tests include repeat Pap tests or biopsy.
Inconclusive results: Sometimes, screening results can be inconclusive, meaning that your healthcare provider cannot definitively determine whether the results are normal or abnormal. This can occur for various reasons, such as an inadequate sample or the presence of blood, inflammation, or mucus. In this case, your healthcare provider may recommend a repeat test or additional testing to obtain a clear result.

Regardless of the outcome of your cervical cancer screening results, it’s essential to stay informed and advocate for your health. Discuss any concerns or questions you may have with your healthcare provider, and maintain open communication about your cervical health.

Understanding Clinical Trials

Clinical trials are available for eligible cancer patients if other treatment options don’t seem to work. A clinical trial can be defined as a research study that compares the most effective known treatment for a specific type or stage of a disease with a new approach.

Participating in one does not guarantee you will get the most effective treatment and they are certainly not for everyone, but it does give you the chance to potentially access new, cutting-edge treatments while advancing science.

Before getting involved in a clinical trial, talk with your doctor(s) and consider the following general risks of enrolling:

The risk of harm and/or side effects due to experimental treatments
Researchers may be unaware of some potential side effects for experimental treatments
The treatment may not work for you, even if it has worked for others

“Clinical trials are critical to the development of new therapies, and as we live through this extraordinary revolution in genomics, immunotherapy and targeted therapy, it’s clear that one of the most pressing needs for patients, clinical trials sponsors, and researchers is simply a better way to find patients,” SurvivorNet CEO Steve Alperin said.

“Even one percent more people successfully enrolled in clinical trials can change the world.”

Why I’d Choose a Clinical Trial For Myself

Your doctor may have spoken with you about possibly enrolling in a trial if you have advanced disease or if there’s a drug that’s currently considered investigational that may work better than the standard for you.

A lot of patients may feel uncomfortable about the thought of participating in a trial, but the trials can provide amazing opportunities for patients. For one thing, they give patients access to a bevy of new drugs that are currently being developed by pharmaceutical companies.

If participating in a clinical trial is something you think you may be interested in, the government has a list of trials that are currently ongoing. SurvivorNet also has a tool to help you find trials for your particular disease.

Clinical Trials Can be Life-Saving for Some

The Importance of Advocating for Yourself

Standing up for yourself is important. If you feel that you’re being dismissed or mistreated by a doctor. Getting a second opinion is crucial if something doesn’t feel right. Experts tell SurvivorNet that no one knows your body better than you, so if you feel like something is wrong, keep pushing for answers.

Dr. Zuri Murrell, a colorectal surgeon at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, previously told SurvivorNet that sometimes, patients need to be pushy.

Be Pushy, Be Your Own Advocate… Don’t Settle

“From a doctor’s perspective, every problem should have a diagnosis, a treatment, a plan for follow-up, and a plan for what happens next if the treatment doesn’t work,” Dr. Murrell said.

And as a patient, “If you don’t feel like each of these four things has been accomplished, just ask! Even if it requires multiple visits or seeing additional providers for a second opinion, always be your own advocate.”

Ultimately, patients advocating for their health can lead to better patient outcomes. This is especially important when you find your doctor has misdiagnosed your symptoms.

A component of advocating for yourself in healthcare includes going back to the doctor multiple times and even getting multiple opinions.

Dr. Steven Rosenberg is the National Cancer Institute Chief of Surgery, and he previously told SurvivorNet about the advantages of getting input from multiple doctors.

Cancer research legend urges patients to get multiple opinions.

“If I had any advice for you following a cancer diagnosis, it would be, first, to seek out multiple opinions as to the best care. Because finding a doctor who is up to the latest of information is important,” Dr. Rosenberg said.