Erin Andrews, Pam Grier And These Women Have Been Diagnosed With Cervical Cancer
Cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer in the world, per the World Health Organization.
According to the health hub, about 660,000 new cases were reported in 2022, resulting in around 350,000 deaths that same year. It takes about 15 to 20 years for abnormal cells to become cancerous, however, a weakened immune system can cut that down to just 5 to 10 years.
Among risk factors such as number of births, STIs, smoking, young pregnancies, hormonal contraceptives — or using birth control for more than five years — increases your risk for this type of cancer, per the National Cancer Institute.
We've compiled a list of five stars who have told their story.
1. Jessica Pettway
YouTube beauty guru Jessica Pettway was initially mistreated for fibroids — non-cancerous tumors that grow on the uterus, according to the Centers for Diease and Prevention, but she was correctly diagnosed with cervical cancer in February 2023.
Pettway died on March 11 after battling the disease.
She was 36.
2. Tamra Judge
'The Real Housewives of Orange County' star Tamra Judge admitted she was battling cervical cancer back in 2012. Following that diagnosis, the 56-year-old found lumps in her breast prompting her to remove her breast implants.
"I had lumps in my breast, and I had cervical cancer that needed to be removed. I needed to take over my body," the Bravo star told Dr. Oz on an episode of 'The Dr. Oz Show.'
3. Erin Andrews
Sportscaster and TV personality Erin Andrews has also been diagnosed with cervical cancer. Andrews, 45, says the experience made her more conscious of her health.
After her gynecologist conducted follow-up testing, results said she indeed had cancer of the cervix and had to undergo surgery immediately. After two surgeries she was cleared to celebrate after being told she was cancer free in 2019.
"And then I ended up getting engaged right after," she told Coping Mag. "It was good news all around."
RELATED: Olivia Munn, 12 Other Celebrities Who Had Mastectomies Amid Breast Cancer Scare
4. Pam Grier
While Pam Grier was enjoying the success of her roles in 'Miami Vice' (1985) and 'Foxy Brown' (1974), Grier was diagnosed with stage 4 cervical cancer in 1988. She was told she had 18 months to live at only 39 years old.
After aggressive treatment, Grier made a full recovery, and the disease has been in remission ever since. She's now 74-years-old.
5. Judy Blume
The beloved author Judy Blume was a warrior in a battle against the disease. She wrote a blog post in 2012, stating her cancer was caught "just in time." After a hysterectomy at 57 years old, the children's literature writer found cancer in her breast.
Blume, 86, says her cancer was caused by HPV and encourages women to vaccinate against the introductory STI.
"If only there was a vaccine to protect us from breast cancer we'd be lined up — wouldn't we?" the 86-year-old asked.
