Back on TV, Amazing Sports Anchor, 38, Returns to Work After Diagnosis of Cervical Cancer That Had Spread

Wilson is one of many women globally battling this disease. The Courier reports how, when Wilson was diagnosed, she worried she wouldn’t survive her illness. But she is feeling far more optimistic, following her treatment. Back at work at Sky Sports, Wilson said on social media, “What a delight to be back and reunited with @julianwarren helping me through."

 

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Every year in the U.S., approximately 14,480 women will be diagnosed with cervical cancer. And nearly a third of women diagnosed will pass away from this disease.

At one time, cervical cancer was one of the most common causes of cancer death for American women, says the American Cancer Society (ACS). After the pap smear test was introduced, the death rate of cervical cancer decreased significantly, as the screening procedure can detect changes in the cervix prior to the development of the cancer. The smear test also detects cervical cancer when it is smaller, and thus, easier to cure.

Wilson is one of the thousands of women fighting this disease. In late September, she wrote on Instagram, “Two weeks post-treatment now and slowly building my strength back up….Three months until I find out if the treatment has worked or not so all the positive vibes still much appreciated."

In October, Wilson married her partner of six years. She told Ok! magazine, “We really did want to celebrate our love not because of what's happened this year but despite it. It sounds unromantic, but being married makes everything so much easier if anything bad were to happen to either of us.”

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HPV DNA Testing & Pap Smears: Screening for Cervical Cancer

Screening for cervical cancer is done via pap smear and HPV DNA testing, which is recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) as the best screening option for cervical cancer. Cervical cancer treatments may include surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy. Getting screened for cervical cancer is critically important because an earlier diagnosis may mean a better prognosis and broader treatment options.

The most common symptoms of cervical cancer can include:

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

This disease is also detected through pap smear tests, which looks for early signs of cervical cancer. Nurse Practitioner Barbara Dehn explained in a previous interview, "Many women think that 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."

Doing HPV DNA testing or getting pap smears is critically important in order to detect cervical cancer. Earlier diagnosis may mean a better prognosis and broader treatment options. Cervical cancer treatments may include surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy.

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Cervical Cancer Treatment Advances

Last year, a groundbreaking new study offered more hope for people diagnosed with cervical cancer, like Wilson. A study published in The New England Journal of Medicine showed that for people with cervical cancer, "Progression-free and overall survival were significantly longer with pembrolizumab."

The study showed a 2-month extension in survival rate for patients treated with pembrolizumab. The study found that patients with persistent, recurrent, or metastatic cervical cancer lived longer when pembrolizumab (brand name: Keytruda), a form of immunotherapy, was added to the standard treatment regimen of chemotherapy.

Dr. Dana Chase at Arizona Oncology explained to SurvivorNet at the time the importance of this news, saying, "Treatment outcomes are improved in metastatic or recurrent cervical cancer when immunotherapy is added to standard of care."

Dr. Bobbie J. Rimel, an assistant professor of gynecology and obstetrics at Samuel Oschin Comprehensive Cancer Institute, whose area of focus is gynecologic oncology, agreed. He told SurvivorNet at the time, "This study is exciting for sure and means for some patients there will be a significant improvement in their longevity by the addition of pembrolizumab to the three-drug combination we have been using," Dr. Rimel tells SurvivorNet. The three-drug combination, she says, is, "Carboplatin/taxol/bevacizumab, the regimen standard of care from GOG 240."

Pembrolizumab is a PD-1 inhibitor given by IV. Other PD-1 inhibitors include Nivolumab (Opdivo) and Cemiplimab (Libtayo). These three drugs have been effective in treating several different types of cancers, says the American Cancer Society (ACS). Some cancers treated by PD-1 inhibitors include non-small cell lung cancer and Merkel cell carcinoma.

Working During Cancer

We love the gusto with which Wilson is returning to work following her cancer diagnosis and treatment.

The Courier reported how her fellow reporters and presenters were celebratory over Wilson’s return. The journalist Orla Chennaoui said of Wilson’s comeback, "What a wonderful sight Jo. That has made my heart so very glad."

And Wilson’s fellow Sky Sports presenter Adam Smithy wrote: "Yes Jo. Great news." And Natalie Pinkham, a reporter for F1 on Sky Sports, writes: "Amazing Jo.."

A cancer diagnosis can be a life-altering event, and finding pockets of normalcy during the cancer journey is often welcome. For most people, going to work every day if you're well enough to do so can be an effective strategy for keeping things as "normal" as possible during an abnormal health event like cancer. The positive social benefits of returning to work are noteworthy, too, and are evident from Wilson’s colleagues expressing joy and good wishes at her return.

Laurie Ostacher, a social worker at Sutter Bay Medical Foundation, says in an earlier interview how important a person's career may be to them, even during the cancer journey. She explains, "Some women choose to continue working [through cancer] because working is a significant part of their identity, they enjoy the job, and there's flexibility built in."

Ostacher continues, explaining her role in a person’s cancer journey, saying, "I help folks think about whether it makes sense to work," she says. "If you really don't want to but are worried you're not going to be able to make ends meet, then I'll sit down and help them figure out, you know, with your disability insurance, would this be possible?"

Ostacher explains the questions she might pose to women to probe them to think about how their work life might look through cancer. She says, "For women who choose to work, I help them think about what types of conversations do you need to have with their employer? How much information do you want to share with him or her? What type of work schedule seems like it might work for you? Where might you need more flexibility?"

Working During Your Cancer Treatment

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