Cervical Cancer Survivor Erin Andrews, 48, Says She Nearly Passed Out Before a Routine Mammogram

However, the mom of one married to retired NHL player Jarret Stoll, who welcomed her son via surrogate after cancer left her unable to conceive naturally, told Future of Personal Health she still struggles with anxiety around checkups.

“I remember going for a mammogram a couple of years ago after a doctor had found something six months earlier and wanted to monitor it,” she explained. “I was a mess for six months. I kept putting the appointment off, because I was terrified of getting bad news.”

RELATED: ‘Real Housewives’ Star Garcelle Beauvais Says Getting Mammograms Shouldn’t Be ‘Taboo’ & Wants More Families to Talk About It Openly

“When I finally went back, I started having a panic attack in the waiting room. I looked at the woman at the desk and said, ‘I need to get into the room right now. I’m literally going to pass out.’ The doctor came in, and I just started crying. I told him, ‘I’ve been thinking about this for six months. I’ve been told I have cancer before, and I’m really freaked out,'” she explained further.

“He said something that really stuck with me: Once you’ve been told you have cancer, you’re always waiting for it again. Every doctor’s appointment becomes scary. You don’t walk in carefree anymore.”

Thankfully, Andrews’ mammogram results came back clear. She also recently had several vials of blood drawn after signing on with Cancer Guard, a new multi-cancer early detection blood test from Exact Sciences—and though she didn’t think much of it at first, anxiety about what the results might reveal crept in the next day.

WATCH: Mammograms are still the best tool for detecting breast cancer.

“That anxiety is real, and honestly, I think that’s why so many people avoid going to the doctor. They don’t want the stress, the waiting room, or the possibility of hearing bad news. But early detection is everything,” she continued.

“In my case, doctors told me women shouldn’t be dying from cervical cancer — but they are because they’re missing appointments for years and not getting checked. You have to make the time. Ask off work. Get childcare. Be selfish for a moment and take care of yourself.”

Andrews said the biggest lesson from her cancer journey is learning to advocate for yourself, revealing her first post-diagnosis surgery went badly because she trusted the wrong doctor instead of seeking out an oncologist right away — a mistake she hasn’t repeated since, both for herself and while helping her father through his cardiovascular health scares.

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In an effort to encourage other women not to skip screenings, she advised “early detection is key.”

“I was doing routine yearly screenings. I’m very diligent about it. And I was still shocked at how quickly things escalated from one year to the next. Within a year, I went from a routine appointment to discussions about surgeries and a hysterectomy. Things can develop quickly,” she said.

“That’s why it’s so important not to skip years between appointments and not to assume you’re fine because your last test was okay. Stay on top of your health every single year.”

She concluded, “I hope we continue removing the stigma around talking about breast cancer, cervical cancer, mammograms, and women’s bodies in general.

“The more people talk about it and encourage each other to get checked, the better. Nobody should be embarrassed to talk about their health.”

Easing “Scan-xiety”: Psychiatrist Shares Tools to Reclaim Calm and Control

Waiting for scan results can feel like holding your breath underwater—uncertain, isolating, and emotionally draining. This intense stress, often called “scan anxiety”, is a common experience for cancer patients and survivors. But according to Dr. Samantha Boardman, assistant professor of psychiatry at Weill Cornell Medicine, there are proven psychological strategies that can help.

“Scan anxiety is unbelievably stressful,” Dr. Boardman previously told SurvivorNet.

“Probably one of the best antidotes that psychology can offer patients is to experience flow.”

What Is “Flow”—and Why It Works

“Flow” is a mental state where you become fully absorbed in an activity—so much so that time seems to disappear. It’s not just a distraction; it’s a therapeutic shift that quiets the mind and restores emotional balance.

“How can we experience flow in our daily lives? It’s usually in some form of a hobby, something we just do because we love doing it,” Dr. Boardman explained.

“I really encourage patients to find and experience something that gives them flow. It might be baking, gardening, or even doing housework. They’re so immersed in the experience that they’re not thinking about anything else.”

Dr. Boardman recommends engaging in activities that naturally promote flow. These include:

• Exercise – even light movement can help regulate stress hormones
• Art or creativity – painting, journaling, or crafting can offer emotional release
• Music – listening or playing can shift your mental state
• Hobbies – anything you enjoy that pulls your focus away from worry
• The goal isn’t to ignore your feelings—it’s to give your brain a break from the loop of fear and uncertainty.

RELATED: How to Cope With ‘Scan Anxiety’ By Using ‘Flow’

For patients feeling overwhelmed, Dr. Boardman suggests a straightforward journaling exercise to help reframe anxious thoughts. Start by drawing four columns on a sheet of paper:

• What I don’t know
• What I do know
• What I can’t control
• What I can control

“I’ll ask patients to write down what I don’t know, what I do know, what I can’t control, and what I can control,” she said. Then, “a helpful way to dial down their anxiety” is to “try to move as many items as possible into what they know and can control.”

This visual mapping helps externalize worry and empowers patients to focus on what’s actionable. It’s a small but powerful way to feel less at the mercy of uncertainty.

When anxiety takes hold, it’s easy to feel powerless. But tools like flow and cognitive reframing offer a path back to emotional steadiness. They don’t erase the fear—but they help patients reclaim space for peace, presence, and perspective.

Erin Andrews’ Cervical Cancer Battle & Fertility Struggles

Erin Andrews was 38 when doctors detected cervical cancer during a routine pap screening in 2016. Since her diagnosis, she’s been a vocal advocate for women to stay current on their cancer screenings.

To treat her cancer, Andrews underwent two surgeries. Prior to surgery, she had In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) to preserve her fertility.

Cervical cancer is detected via a pap smear test, which looks for early signs of cervical cancer. Nurse Practitioner Barbara Dehn told SurvivorNet in an earlier interview, “Many women think that a Pap smear checks for ovarian cancer, but it doesn’t. Pap smears detect only cervical cancer, not all gynecologic cancers.

“In fact, there is no test that detects ovarian cancer in its earliest stages, which is why two-thirds to three-quarters of women are diagnosed at a later stage, when the disease has spread to nearby tissues and organs.”

Every year in the U.S., approximately 13,000 women will be diagnosed with cervical cancer, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Getting pap smears to detect for cervical cancer is critically important because an earlier diagnosis may mean a better prognosis and broader treatment options.

Andrews previously opened up about her years-long IVF journey on Bulletin, in an essay titled “My seventh time doing IVF, I am not keeping it a secret anymore.”

In her informative essay, she bravely outlined the struggles she has faced with fertility, as she and her husband, who at the time were trying to conceive.

She explained she was trying to enjoy some downtime before NFL season kicks off, but it “has been challenging for me.” Andrews admitted she had been working long hours, and she also had to schedule IVF treatment.

“For those familiar, you know it’s a time-consuming and emotionally draining process. This is my 7th one, and I’ve been going through these treatments since I was 35 years old,” she continued.

The then-43-year-old, said her body was “stacked against” her, adding, “I have been trying to do IVF treatment for a while now, but sometimes it doesn’t go the way you want it. Your body just doesn’t allow it.

RELATED: Motherhood After Cancer Treatment Yes, It’s Possible: Here’s What You Should Know About Fertility Preservation

“Every cycle is different in a woman’s body, so some months are better than others.” Andrews said that the scheduling difficulties made her question what’s most important, leaving her feeling as if she needed to choose between family and a career.

Prior to that, Andrews also opened up to Health in 2017 about how she previously had undergone IVF prior to her diagnosis, saying, “I had actually frozen my eggs before all this a couple of years back, just because it was all the rage. But it definitely took a serious turn for us. I’m not young, we don’t know when we’re gonna have a baby, we don’t know if this is going to come back.

“One thing I love my future husband for is that our oncologist said the smart thing to do would be to have some insurance waiting, so we have frozen embryos because we’ve taken the steps. If we need ’em, we need ’em; and if we don’t, we don’t. We just wanna be smart. But it’s crazy, because these waiting rooms are packed!”

Responding to Stress: How to Cope With Complex & Changing Emotions

Tools to Help Cervical Cancer Prevention

A pap smear is an option 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.

The added value of pap smears is that symptoms of cervical cancer might show up until the disease is at stage 3 or 4, making it more challenging to treat. This critical procedure helps doctors catch signs of the disease early. Furthermore, pap smears can lead to broader and more effective treatment options.

What You Need to Know About Cervical Cancer 

One of the leading causes of cervical cancer is the human papillomavirus (HPV).

The human papillomavirus (HPV) is “a group of more than 200 related viruses, some of which are spread through vaginal, anal, or oral sex,” the National Cancer Institute says. HPV infection is linked to multiple cancers, and the majority of sexually active people will get the disease at some point in their lives.

A study presented during last year’s American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) 2023 annual meeting found that public awareness of the link between HPV and cervical cancer was on the decline.

RELATED: New Cervical Cancer Screening Guidelines Recommend HPV & Pap Testing Now Start at Age 25

“The important thing to know about HPV is that there are many different strains, and only a couple of them tend to be more cancer-inducing,” Dr. Allen Ho, a head and neck surgeon at Cedars-Sinai, told SurvivorNet.

“Probably less than 1% of the population who get infected happen to have the cancer-causing virus that somehow their immune system fails to clear, and over 15 to 20 years [it] develops from a viral infection into a tumor, and cancer,” Dr. Ho added.

Managing Your Mental Health in the Face of a Health Challenge or Major Life Change

It’s only natural for health challenges to have some sort of effect on one’s mental health, especially when coping with the loss of an unborn child. It’s important to note that the diagnosis of a cancer or disease or the loss of a loved one can offset your mental health in ways you least expect.

Psychiatrist Dr. Lori Plutchik previously told SurvivorNet that emotions will be fluid when facing a diagnosis. SurvivorNet has some tips to help keep your mental and emotional health in a good space if you find yourself coping with a stressful situation.

The National Institute of Mental Health advises to seek professional help if you are experiencing severe or distressing symptoms that have lasted two weeks or more, such as:

• Trouble sleeping
• Changes in appetite
• Struggling to leave bed in the morning because of your mood
• Trouble concentrating
• Loss of interest in things you usually enjoy
• Inability to perform normal daily functions and responsibilities

Equally as important is recognizing the value of self-care. The National Institute of Mental Health offers practical guidance on how to boost your weekly self-care routine.

• Regularly exercising
• Eating healthy, regular meals
• Staying hydrated
• Prioritizing sleep
• Exploring relaxation programs or techniques
• Setting goals/priorities
• Staying positive
• Connecting with others

Battling cancer comes with a ton of emotions. These can range from “anxiety, depression, financial toxicity, social isolation, and PTSD,” SurvivorNet expert and researcher at Moffitt Cancer Center Dr. Shelly Tworoger says.

Psychologist Dr. Marianna Strongin also shared some simple tips to help you maintain good mental health and reduce stress amid adversity.

When it comes to dealing with anxiety, Dr. Strongin says it’s important to have a healthy relationship with your anxiety and get to know it rather than fear it, avoid it, or push it away.

Dr. Strongin explained, “By learning more about your anxious thoughts and tendencies, one can begin to answer their anxious thoughts even in moments when there aren’t any answers. For cancer patients, the worry thoughts tend to be, ‘Will I survive?’

“It’s important to let those thoughts come in and really be able to tolerate them before answering them. This is a very powerful coping skill.”

Dr. Strongin suggests medications to help with anxiety and depression if other approaches are not as effective. She also urges cancer warriors to explore telemedicine.

Questions to Ask Your Doctor

• What can I do if my emotions begin to feel overwhelming?
• Are there approaches that don’t involve traditional therapy?
• Should I consider medication such as antidepressants?
• What are the potential side effects should I decide to begin medication?

Let’s Talk About Provider Bias

Contributing: SurvivorNet Staff

Learn more about SurvivorNet's rigorous medical review process.

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