Paying It Forward: A Gynecologic Cancer Survivor in Los Angeles Can’t Have Kids So She’s Taking Care of the Underprivileged Children in Her Neighborhood with a Christmas Gift Drive

Cervantes battled cervical and uterine cancer about ten years ago. She overcame the diseases, but, unfortunately, these cancers took away the possibility of having children. Because gynecological cancers, like cervical and uterine cancer, directly affect a woman's reproductive system, they are associated with a higher risk of infertility than other types of cancer. But, it’s important to note that these cancers do not necessarily mean a patient will become infertile. Oftentimes, it depends on your course of treatment, though we don’t know exactly what type of treatment Cervantes underwent.

But instead of focusing on the negative, she decided to start something so wonderful and positive: the IE Community Children’s Christmas Toy Drive.

“I couldn’t have children so this is why I do this because I fill that void,” she told NBC Los Angeles.

But her cancer experience wasn’t the only thing that pushed her to start such a wonderful tradition it was also the approximately five years she and her family spent living homeless when she was a child. She knew firsthand what it was like to not have enough money around the holidays.

“My sister, who is younger than me, she actually almost passed away because we didn’t have food,” Cervantes said. “Because we didn’t have anything. We were living off of Top Ramen the ten cent packets.”

But now things are different, and Cervantes has the ability to help others in need. This will be the sixth year she’s decorated her front yard, filled it with presents and gave the neighborhood children a chance to take a picture with Santa.

“You see their smiles, you see their little eyes and you see how happy they get,” Cervantes said. “It actually warms my heart because I’ve been there, and I know how it feels. And when you get that one gift, maybe it’s not what you wanted, but at least it’s something.”

Thriving as a Survivor

A cancer diagnosis will change your life. But as we've seen in the case of Cervantes, it is more than possible to thrive on the other side of your cancer journey especially when giving back to the community.

Marecya Burton, for example, is another cancer survivor who found a new sense of purpose after overcoming the disease. She was diagnosed with ovarian cancer at just 20 years old. Burton was a college student-athlete looking forward to graduation at the time, but all that had to change when she was forced to move home to start treatment.

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"That was definitely challenging for me," Burton said in a previous interview with SurvivorNet. "I was looking forward to graduating."

She also had planned on pursuing a law degree after graduation another dream she had to give up.

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"I really had to, in a sense, put my life on hold," she said. "Sometimes I look at where I am, and I can't help but wonder, would I be further had I not had my diagnosis?"

But instead of law school, Burton found a new passion: teaching. She became a high school teacher in Baltimore, Maryland, and she's since made peace with her new direction in life.

"I wouldn't change my career for the world," she says. "It's so fulfilling."

Understanding Cervical Cancer

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. HPV (human papillomavirus), a sexually-transmitted virus, causes more than 70% of cervical cancer cases.

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Every year in the United States, approximately 14,480 women will be diagnosed with cervical cancer. 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 5 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 5 years or a Pap test alone every 3 years.

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The most common symptoms of cervical cancer can 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.

Understanding Uterine Cancer

Uterine cancer, also called endometrial cancer, is a cancer that develops in the lining of the uterus, and it is the most common type of gynecological cancer. The uterus, or womb, is a pear-shaped organ where a fetus can develop and grow.

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Unlike cervical cancer, uterine cancer is not caused by HPV. But there are also several conditions that may predispose someone to getting uterine cancer including:

• Hypertension
• Diabetes
• Polycystic ovary syndrome (which is marked by the absence of regular periods)
• Obesity
• Hyperandrogenism (elevated male sex hormones)
• Lynch syndrome

Understanding the Risks and Symptoms of Uterine Cancer

"These patients might not be thinking about this, their primary care providers may not be speaking to them about this," warns Dr. Diana English, a gynecologic oncologist with USF Health.

There are also several signs to watch out for regarding uterine cancer. Irregular bleeding bleeding in between periods for pre-menopausal women and unexpected bleeding for post-menopausal women is a very common symptom.

If you develop abnormal bleeding or have any concerns about your body, it is important to direct all questions to your doctor right away. Early cancer detection is hugely beneficial for treatment outcomes, so always remember to advocate for yourself.

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