Woman talks about the loss of her mother to cervical cancer

Pee Dee, SC

Typically your co-workers become your second family. So, when cancer strikes someone you work with, it’s difficult to watch your workplace family member grieve the loss of their loved one.

Exactly one month ago today, WBTW News13, Executive Producer lost her mother to cervical cancer. Tracy Vreeland remembers the day her mother was diagnosed. Her mother, Susan was only 47. “We’re very stubborn. We don’t like to go to the doctor. I’ve learned my lesson though. I go now. She thought you had a bladder infection. So, she tried to drink cranberry juice until it go so bad, that she had to get it checked out. And by that time it was Stage B, and we’re lucky that she lived as long as she did,” said Vreeland.

Five years later, cervical cancer took her mother’s life at the young age of 52. “Sometimes it makes me really mad that she didn’t get checked. After she got it, she even preached. Get your pap smears. Get-em. It really could save your life,” she said.

The National Cancer Institute estimates more than 11-thousand women will be diagnosed with cervical caner this year. Nearly 4-thousand will die from the disease. Grand Strand Gynecologist Dr. Kenneth Spielvogel says a simple and routine Pap test is the first step in detecting cervical cancer. The doctor collects a few cells from the cervix to check for any abnormalities. “But even so, with the least of abnormal pap smear, the mildest of all abnormalities left uncared for over time, now this is not something that takes place one to 2, 3, years, but 10 to 15 years without an exam, without follow-up, without treatment could lead to cervical cancer,” said Spielvogel.

Almost all cervical cancer is caused by an infection from a virus called HPV or human papillomavirus. Again, not getting an annual exam that includes a Pap test is a risk factor along with smoking, and multiple sexual partners without using barrier contraception. Spielvogel said, “If a woman becomes sexually active, regardless of age, she should have an annual exam with pap smear.” Dr. Spielvogel says one of the main symptoms of abnormality of the cervix is unusual bleeding, specifically after intercourse. “Bladder fullness, bladder pressure, if they’re menopausal, or post-menopausal just bleeding in general, that has been the tell-tale sign for many,” said Spielvogel.

And in Tracy’s mother’s case, the symptoms were bladder related. “I get mad that she didn’t get pap smears, and now I don’t have a mom, and I’m only 31, and we’re so close. It was me and her. My parents separated when I was two years old, so she didn’t remarry until I had left for college, so it was always me and her. And now it’s so hard because I want to pick up the phone, and I can’t because she’s just not there to talk to,” said Vreeland.

The loss of a parent is never easy. Vreeland knows the healing process takes time. She also knows her mother may be alive today, if she had gone to her gynecologist for annual check-ups. And not ignored her symptoms. And while her mother’s death has been devastating. She hopes by telling her story, another mother, sister, friend, or co-worker’s life may be saved.

 Subscribe to Cervical Cancer News Information Links