It is with profound sadness that we share the passing of Doris Helene White Soares, a devoted wife, mother, friend, and tireless advocate. Doris faced a long journey with synchronous cervical and uterine cancers with incredible determination, leaving behind a legacy of courage, resilience, and advocacy that will continue to inspire all of us.
“I had the distinct honor of interviewing Doris—whom I fondly referred to as “Miss Doris”—on an episode of the Cervivor Podcast. In that conversation, she shared her experience of being diagnosed with cancer later in life, and how she never stopped using her voice to break the stigma surrounding the disease,” shared Joslyn Chaiprasert-Paguio, Cervivor Ambassador and Podcast Host.
Doris reflected on her diagnosis during their interview, recalling how it came unexpectedly. “Who knew that my cervix would act up during the same year in which I qualified for Medicare?” she shared. “Cervical malignancies were for younger, pre-menopausal women, right?” She voiced her frustration with the stigma surrounding HPV and its connection to cervical cancer, challenging the harmful notion that cancer should be a source of shame. Doris refused to remain silent. She boldly declared in an email to Joslyn, “This middle-aged wife and Nana has absolutely no intention of shouldering the stigma, and I suggest you don’t either. Our cells may betray us, but we can find power in knowledge, support, and self-awareness.”
Doris was a passionate advocate who regularly attended support group meetings including our monthly Creating Connections and quarterly Cervivor Noir MeetUps. She candidly shared her journey and encouraged others to do the same. Though petite in stature, Doris’s presence was enormous in her dedication, kindness, and support. It’s no surprise that so many in our community often wished they could embody even a fraction of the grace and composure that Doris so effortlessly extended to everyone she met.
A gathering of the Cervivor Noir virtual support group to bring together cervical cancer patients and survivors who identify as African American and/or Black.
Her advocacy extended far beyond her own journey. Doris was steadfast in her commitment to encourage others, always urging those in the various support groups she attended to share their stories and lift one another up. Her poise, generosity, and unshakable commitment to fighting cervical cancer and dispelling stigma inspired everyone she encountered. Her legacy of advocacy and compassion will continue to guide others facing similar challenges.
Doris’s presence was a symbol of hope and encouragement, and she leaves behind a profound impact on all who knew her.
Yvette Torres reflected on Doris’s influence: “In the Creating Connections Zooms, I got to know Doris through her openness about her story and cancer journey. She inspired me with her strength and dedication to advocacy in her later years. Despite her health struggles, Doris had such a zest for life and appreciation for each day given to her. I will miss seeing her on Zoom and hearing her voice and laugh.”
A group photo captured of the Creating Connections monthly virtual support groupheld in early 2023.
Christy Chambers, who admired Doris’s grace, shared: “Doris was the epitome of grit and grace! She embraced her cancer journey, and under immense pressure (working, parenting, 2 different cancers, etc.) created an amazing legacy that we can all admire. We were blessed to experience the freedom she felt when she lost her hair – ‘wash and go,’ she said! We laughed at the stories she told of shocked church members who wondered how she could have a gynecological cancer. We were humbled when she cautioned us to slow down and rest. Like a pearl, her iridescent spirit will shine on through her family, her writing, and through those of us who had the opportunity to be in her world.”
Gwendolyn Jackson shared a heartfelt memory of Doris: “Though Mrs. Doris has passed, her warm greeting of ‘Good Morning, Beautiful Lady’ will forever echo in my heart. Her kindness and light will be missed, but her words will always remind me of the beauty she saw in me, and in the world.”
As we celebrate the life and legacy of Doris, we invite you to share your cherished memories of her and reflect on the ways she inspired you. Take a moment to revisit Miss Doris’s heartfelt writings, where she shared her wisdom and insights:
Pictured to the left is one of Doris’s handwritten journal entries.
These personal essays offer a glimpse into her spirit and continue to inspire us. We welcome you to read, share, and remember Doris’s impact on your life.
Cervical cancer is a global health concern that affects women of all races and ethnicities. However, when we look into the cultural nuances surrounding healthcare, it becomes evident that certain communities face unique challenges.
Black women, despite advancements in healthcare, continue to face disproportionate rates of cervical cancer. The reasons behind these disparities are complex and rooted in a combination of socioeconomic factors, healthcare access, and cultural considerations. To truly understand the impact, we need to listen to the stories of Black women who have faced the challenges of cervical cancer head-on.
Impactful Stories of Black Cervical Cancer Survivors
Shondria’s Journey: Navigating Societal Norms: “Giving up my dream of having children with the man I loved and giving Romeo a sibling was one of the hardest things to deal with. After Matt and I got married, people automatically asked when were we going to have a baby. My son was from a previous relationship and Matt didn’t have any kids and I was hoping that later down the line if we were still together we would be able to have a child or 2. I even told my doctor that I didn’t want to give up my reproductive rights but I still chose the supposed better option. On March 27, 2008, I had my radical hysterectomy where they removed my cervix, the top part of my vagina, my uterus, my Fallopian tubes, and about 20 lymph nodes. I requested a copy of my surgery report that showed that the cancer was about 1 cm. Everything else was negative for cancer. Raising awareness is so important and I don’t know how many times at work I hear my female coworkers say they don’t think they need a Pap or they’re too afraid to find out if it’s bad news. Also, knowing your family’s medical history is so important! My mom never told me that other women in our family have had cervical cancer, ovarian cancer, and vulva cancer, which is extremely important to know. Knowledge is power!”
Urika’s Story In Overcoming Systemic Barriers: “Before starting my chemo treatments, my doctor at the time was having issues with my insurance to get my treatment started. She was beginning to get frustrated with my health insurance company because she wasn’t able to begin my treatments without approval. I received a call one day from my doctor saying, “Ms. Fraser. you are young and you have three kids to live for. I can no longer wait for your insurance to be approved. So my next step is to have you come into the emergency room and be admitted into the hospital.” At this point, I had no other choice but to believe in my doctor and do as I was told. I was checked in and admitted. I was mighty scared. My doctor came in and explained to me my chemo plan. She informed me the only way for me to begin treatment was for her to keep me in the hospital and bill my insurance later. After talking to me about my treatments, she brought in the doctor who would be doing my radiation treatments and he informed me he would be doing my radiation treatments for free. I stayed in the hospital for over a month and a half. I even celebrated my birthday in the hospital all while doing chemo and radiation. Eventually, I was released from the hospital and able to go home – not to my kids but instead to a family member’s house because my house was over an hour away from the hospital. I continued my treatments and eventually the tumor was no longer there. However, the cancer had spread to my lungs. I had to have a small piece of my lung removed and started chemo all over again – and this time I lost my hair.”
Felicia Fe Fea’s Advocacy: Empowering Through Education: “I had been experiencing heavier periods for numerous years, but thought nothing of it until in 2017 when the bleeding turned into flowing out like a water fountain and giant blood clots that would randomly fall out. I had gotten to the point of having to wear Depends. I was pale and weak. I kept advocating for myself by asking questions to my OBGYN and my advocating and questioning were ignored and minimized. I was told it may be hormonal and I might be going through menopause. Even though I had been with the same OBGYN for over ten years, who knew my history of abnormal paps and who had performed two LEEPs on me which supposedly burned off the precancerous cells, had never checked for cervical cancer. Instead, they told me to eat rare steak and liver to raise my iron levels, shot me up with hormones, and conducted an ablation on me going straight through my cervix. During my ablation, the OBGYN talked about how she had not seen anyone bleed so much during this procedure but when I questioned her she stated how much experience she had and how she had done 100’s of these. As I bleed I was sent home with no answers. I continued to basically hemorrhage for months. I couldn’t work because large blood clots would just fall out randomly and the Depends could not even hold them. The doctor kept trying to force me back to work and kept suggesting a hysterectomy with no real diagnosis other than the heavy bleeding. I was so weak and tired of wearing Depends so I decided to go along with the hysterectomy. I had labs done and my numbers were so low I had to have a blood transfusion before I could have surgery. Not once did my OBGYN say “Let’s check for cancer”; even knowing my history, as if I were an experiment (much like the Mothers of Gynecology Anarcha, Lucy, and Betsey). I had my transfusion and was off to surgery in March 2018. The surgeon contacted me and stated she would be sending my cervix and uterus to pathology because it was “torn up”. After that, I got the ‘you have cancer’ call. My entire cervix was a tumor and I had stage 2B cervical cancer that had moved into my uterus.”
Moving Forward
Understanding the impact of cervical cancer on Black women requires a holistic approach that addresses cultural, social, and systemic factors. It’s crucial to amplify these stories, cultivate open dialogue, and promote education within communities. By acknowledging the unique challenges faced by Black women, we can work towards creating a healthcare landscape that is inclusive, equitable, and supportive for all. We can break the barriers and ensure that no one is left behind in the fight against cervical cancer.
Are you a cervical cancer patient, survivor, or thriver that identifies as Black? Share your story at Cervivor.org! Then join our private group, Cervivor Noir to gain support and learn how your story can create change.