I’m 61 years old and want to share my story. I entered menopause in my early 40s and was never able to become pregnant. However, through foster care, adoption, and stepchildren, I now have 9 kids and 21 grandkids!
Last year, I began experiencing light bleeding and mentioned it to my primary care provider. She performed a Pap smear, which came back normal.
She then ordered an ultrasound, which showed thickening of my uterine lining. They scheduled an in-office biopsy, but it was too painful to complete, so surgery was scheduled for a biopsy and dilation and curettage.
On May 22nd, I was diagnosed with stage 2 endometrial cancer. On June 19th, I had a radical hysterectomy in Wichita, Kansas—this included the removal of my ovaries, fallopian tubes, uterus, cervix, and some lymph nodes for testing.
Thankfully, the final results showed it was stage 1a with no spread! I’ll be seeing my oncologist every 6 months for the next few years to monitor for any signs of recurrence.
I’m so grateful I spoke up and mentioned the bleeding to my doctor—that Pap was supposed to be my last, since they usually stop performing them after the age of 61.
Susan
KS
Submitted 08/02/2025
This story is intended to convey a personal experience and should not be relied upon as a substitute for professional medical advice.
3 Responses
Your story resembles mine almost to a tee! The only difference is I was almost 1 year of perimenopause when I started spotting went in had a pap doc called it my last hurrah! Almost 1 year later I’m back she performed another pap and a cervical biopsy both came back negative went almost another year and doc called it another last hurrah I told her I’ve already had 2 last hurrahs and you can only have one!! Demanded they do further tests so a d&c was performed endometrial cancer went in to have the same radical hysterectomy that you did also stage 2 it’s now been 9 yrs cancer free!🙏🙏
Very similar here too. I was 36 and had abnormal bleeding (and often felt full without having eaten). I was hoping for menopause because I knew many years ago that I am a dog momma and Auntie only and had no desire for human children of my own. They told me I was too young for cancer and said I could wait a month, or do an ultrasound. I demanded the ultrasound. I knew it was bad when the tech wouldn’t let me watch the screen. Sure enough, next day was biopsy and there are no words to describe that hurt! Stage 1A – radical hysterectomy and everything you said. Turns out, I am 3% of women who get Endometrial Cancer before menopause! 6 1/2 years Cancer free at the end of the month.
And lesson learned – ALWAYS ADVOCATE for yourself!