Cervical cancer affects over 11,000 people in the U.S. each year, but it’s highly preventable with HPV vaccination and regular screenings. For Marinette mom Heidi Maye, these measures saved her life.
“I had gotten the (HPV) vaccine in my early adulthood,” Heidi said. “You just do your physicals, your pap smears, and then I was told I didn’t need to come back for five years because it was all clear.”
Three years later, during a prenatal pap smear, Heidi’s results were abnormal. After careful monitoring by the gynecological oncology team at Aurora BayCare Medical Center, she was diagnosed with cervical cancer after delivering her fourth child.
“I didn’t know how we were going to do it,” Heidi said, as her young daughter was also battling lymphoma. “But my children still needed their mom.”
With support from her care team, Heidi completed treatment and is now cancer-free.
Her story highlights the importance of regular screenings. “Pap smears are how we screen for cervical cancer,” said Dr. Elizabeth Dickson Michelson. “We want to pick up if any of those cells have decided to start to change with that HPV.”
Heidi urges others to prioritize their health. “When you feel like you trust your team, it gives you more strength to get through it,” she said.
Stay proactive—schedule your pap smear today. Watch the full clip here.