Reaching Milestones After Cancer
- Original MTV VJ Martha Quinn, 66, is now a Radio Hall of Famer after her induction this Summer. Now, the host of The Martha Quinn Show has another feather in her cap, alongside beating early-stage endometrial cancer.
- Endometrial cancer begins when cancerous cells form in the tissues of the endometrium, or lining of the uterus. Symptoms typically associated with this type of cancer include vaginal bleeding and pelvic pain.
- Surgery is the most common treatment option for endometrial cancer. Chemotherapy and radiation are also options; however, they are more useful when the cancer is in more advanced stages. Quinn received chemo after her doctors recommended it.
- A hysterectomy is a procedure that removes part or all of the uterus (or womb), often along with the cervix. Women who receive a diagnosis of uterine, ovarian, and cervical cancer may have their cancer treated with a hysterectomy.
Now 66, Quinn’s latest honor highlights a remarkable journey from her breakout moment in 1981 to her enduring impact on pop culture. Quinn rose to prominence as the relatable face of MTV’s revolution, hosting hits like MTV Prime with Martha Quinn and Martha’s Greatest Hits, and interviewing the industry’s biggest names—from Prince and Earth, Wind & Fire to Paul McCartney.
Quinn continues to resonate with audiences through The Martha Quinn Show on iHeartMedia, which launched in 2021 and remains on air. Her passionate fan base didn’t miss the opportunity to cheer her on. One user wrote, “Congrats, Martha! You will forever be a part of my love for Rock ‘n Roll!” Quinn replied with enthusiasm: “Yaaaa, love to hear that, thanks, Vinnie!”
Outside of radio, Quinn has appeared in films and television shows, including Dead Heat and Full House, expanding her influence beyond music media. But her most powerful chapter unfolded off-camera.
How Martha Found Strength to Endure Chemo Through Another Music Talent
In 2023, Quinn revealed her diagnosis with endometrial cancer—a form of cancer originating in the lining of the uterus. She underwent a hysterectomy shortly after learning the news.
“I was diagnosed with endometrial cancer… Very soon after my diagnosis, I underwent a hysterectomy,” she shared in a personal blog post.
Post-surgery, Quinn learned she was in Stage 1, with no spread to lymph nodes or surrounding tissues. Still, doctors recommended chemotherapy and radiation as a preventative measure.
“I was very relieved to learn after the surgery I was Stage 1… but chemotherapy plus radiation has been recommended to make sure no undetected cells start new colonies anywhere.”
Throughout her cancer journey, Quinn found strength in unexpected places—namely, fellow rock icon Vivian Campbell of Def Leppard, who continued touring during his chemotherapy for Hodgkin lymphoma.
“Thank you for sharing your story to give courage to others dealing with cancer, like me,” Quinn wrote, crediting Campbell’s resilience as a beacon of hope.
Today, Quinn remains committed to regular monitoring and finds comfort in the clarity of her personal mantra:
“No recurrences = success,” Quinn said.
Expert Resources to Help Patients Living With Endometrial Cancer
- Advanced or Recurrent Endometrial Cancer Patients Have New Hopeful Combination Therapy Option
- Combo Immunotherapy-Chemo Treatment May Help Slow Progression of Advanced Endometrial Cancer: Studies Show Promising Results
- ‘The Google Earth of Endometrial Cancer’ — a New, Molecular Snapshot Could Lead to Better Treatment of the Disease
- Hope for Endometrial Cancer: FDA Approves Durvalumab/Chemotherapy Combination for Hard-to-Treat Advanced Disease
Helping You Understand Endometrial Cancer
Endometrial cancer begins when cancerous cells form in the tissues of the endometrium, the inner lining of the uterus.
After a woman has been diagnosed with endometrial cancer, her doctor will stage the cancer based on its spread within the body. A pelvic exam and imaging tests help your doctor learn if the cancer has spread or metastasized.
WATCH: Different Types of Endometrial Cancer
Some common risk factors for endometrial cancer include:
- Obesity
- Taking estrogen-only hormone replacement therapy after menopause
- Having never given birth or started menstruation at an early age
- Having a family history of endometrial cancer
Common symptoms of endometrial cancer may include:
- Pelvic pain: Some women may experience pain or discomfort in the pelvic area.
- Pain during intercourse: This symptom is less common but can occur in some cases.
- Unusual vaginal discharge: Watery or blood-tinged discharge may be a sign of endometrial cancer.
- Weight loss: Unexplained weight loss can sometimes be associated with cancer.
- Urinary problems: Difficulty or pain when urinating.
Endometrial Cancer Treatment Options
Treatment for endometrial cancer includes surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, hormone therapy, and targeted therapy. Surgery is the most common treatment method.
“There are a lot of new, exciting treatments for advanced endometrial cancer that we’ve just discovered over the last couple of years,” Dr. Dana Chase, gynecologic oncologist at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, says.
“So even if you’re diagnosed with an advanced stage, ask your treating doctor what the latest treatments are, or even potentially, is there a clinical trial I can participate in for my endometrial cancer? … There’s a lot of research on new treatments for endometrial cancer, which is very exciting,” Dr. Chase continued.
The most common procedure is a hysterectomy, where the surgeon removes the uterus. They often also remove both ovaries and fallopian tubes in a bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy. This helps lower the risk of the cancer spreading or coming back.
WATCH: What to Know About Endometrial Cancer-Related Surgery
“Doctors usually treat early-stage endometrial cancer with surgery as the main approach,” explains Dr. B.J. Rimel, a gynecologic oncologist at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles.
“During the surgery, doctors may also perform staging to see how far the cancer has spread. This involves taking out and examining nearby lymph nodes and tissues.”
Chemotherapy and radiation are options, particularly when the cancer is in more advanced stages.
Treating endometrial cancer with hormone therapy involves removing hormones or blocking their ability to help cancer cells grow. Targeted therapy uses drugs designed to target specific cancer cells.
“Hormonal therapy commonly works because most endometrial cancers are estrogen receptor-positive,” Dr. Michael Toboni, an assistant professor in the division of gynecologic oncology at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, tells SurvivorNet.
“So if you give progesterone, it can counteract the estrogen feeding the cancer. This is commonly given with multiple anti-estrogen medications or an anti-estrogen medication in combination with another medication that inhibits a common pathway in endometrial cancer.”
Each treatment method can have side effects, and the impact on the body may vary depending on the type of treatment. If you are undergoing treatment for endometrial cancer, discussing potential side effects with your doctor and strategies to minimize their impact is crucial.
Questions to Ask Your Doctor
If you’re battling cancer or on the other side of it, and you’re struggling with your outlook on life, here are some questions you may consider asking your doctor to get the conversation started:
- What can I do if I’m struggling to be thankful for what I have in my life?
- Are there local resources for people wishing to improve their mental health?
- What else can I do to help reduce my stress level during my cancer journey?
- It’s difficult for me to find happiness and joy. How can I find help?
Learn more about SurvivorNet's rigorous medical review process.
