Ohio mother of three diagnosed with stage 3 cervical cancer after misattributed symptoms

A mother from Ohio mistook persistent symptoms for perimenopause, delaying a Pap smear and a cancer diagnosis.

Ohio Mom of Three Diagnosed with Stage 3 Cervical Cancer After Misinterpreting Symptoms

Melissa Sanders, 46, from Valley City, Ohio, developed heavy bleeding that lasted nearly three months in early 2024. Her family and doctors attributed it to perimenopause, and Sanders had not had a Pap smear in 22 years. A routine Pap smear in March 2024 led to a biopsy, which confirmed stage 3 cervical cancer after further imaging.

She underwent chemotherapy and radiation for six months, which left her weak and dependent on her son during treatment. She finished therapy in September 2024 and is now in menopause. Sanders is focusing on her health and plans to be present for her granddaughter, Gracelynn, while urging others to keep up with screenings.

This case highlights how busy lives and the assumption that aging equals menopause can delay cancer detection. It shows the vital role of routine screening and the danger of skipping preventive care, especially for adults past the usual screening window. Public health messaging should reinforce that heavy bleeding and persistent symptoms deserve medical evaluation, not a label of perimenopause. Clinicians, too, must balance patient history with clear explanations about when tests like Pap smears are needed, regardless of age or misconceptions.

Highlights

The story invites readers to value preventive care and to push for accessible screening.