We are saddened to report that beauty YouTuber Jessica Pettway died as a result of stage 3 cervical cancer on March 11th. According to E, her sister, Reyni Brown, confirmed the news. Â After an apparent misdiagnosis of fibroids, the YouTuber found out she had stage 3 cervical cancer in February 2023. She didn’t share it with her fans until July. Yet, the beautiful wife and mother fought a good fight until the end. Our prayers go out to Jessica’s husband and children.
This is a wake-up call for Black women to take our health seriously.
Heavy Bleeding is a Sign of Fibroids and Cervical Cancer
We found that there are instances where a medical professional may believe uterine cancer is a fibroid when a patient complains of pelvic pain or irregular bleeding. However, CT scans and MRIs can further diagnose the condition.
But vaginal bleeding is also a symptom of cervical cancer, especially heavy periods or painful periods, swelling in the legs, or pain during sex, according to Baptist Health. If you have fibroids and any of these symptoms, you might want additional screenings and seek a second opinion.
Black Women Are Diagnosed With Cervical Cancer Later
Unfortunately, Jessica is not alone. Many black women are diagnosed with cervical cancer at later stages, which offers them different treatment options. We are 41% more likely to develop cervical cancer and 75% more likely to die from it than white women, according to the National Center of Biotechnology Information.
Understanding Cervical Cancer?
Why You Need to Get Screened
According to the National Cancer Institute, people who have regular screens for HPV and Pap tests at regular intervals rarely are found to have cancer. Please stay on top of your annual appointments.
But here’s what you need to know: “The Pap and HPV tests are screening tests, not diagnostic tests. They cannot tell for certain if you have cervical cancer. An abnormal Pap test or HPV test result may mean more testing is needed to see if a cancer or a pre-cancer is present. The tests used include colposcopy (with biopsy), endocervical scraping, and cone biopsies, according to The American Cancer Society.
For more information on cervical cancer, please check out our downloadable guide.
Prevention
The HPV Vaccine can lower the risk of cervical cancer by up to 88%. If you are in your 20s or have children, it is time to learn more about the HPV vaccine.
