Karla
I found out on Christmas Day, 2001, that my 52-year-old sister had cervical cancer & was having a hysterectomy & cancer removal the next day. The doctors caught it early; because I have such eclectic medical knowledge, I could tell her that there was at least a 90 - 95% chance of survival cathing it this early. The doctors told her she wouldn't need chemo or radiation; after all the pathology reports came back, her gyno suggested optional radition treatments. She agreed and tomorrow starts radiation. I'm 3,000 miles away from my dad & sister, and I'm scared to death also, even though it's not me and I know the prognosis is good. To help cope, I'm using my PC to search sites dealing with this topic. I tried to reply to Joyce, but my computer wouldn't let me. I've had some of the symptoms my sister's had in the past; because of financial problems, I haven't been to an OB/GYN in 3 years. You can bet that I'm looking up free/pay-as-you-can clinics to get an appointment ASAP! Please, everybody, have an annual PAP smear, or more if your doctor tells you to. Early detection will hopefully save my sister's life, and thousands of other women too. It's scary to take action, but think how many lives could be saved if every woman over 18 (or sexually active) had annual visits to their OB/GYN. Keep the faith!