uterine cancer

Silent No More: Voices Rising for Gynecologic Cancer Awareness Month 2025

This year, over 100,000 people in the U.S. will hear the words: “You have cancer.” For more than 30,000, it will end their life. Gynecologic Cancer Awareness Month (GCAM) 2025 is not just about awareness — it’s about survival, equity, and the power of every story to change what comes next.

September is Gynecologic Cancer Awareness Month. The image highlights the importance of "Below the Belt Cancers" with the phrase "SILENT NO MORE: Below the Belt Cancers Matter!" accompanied by a purple awareness ribbon. Colorful flowers and leaves decorate the corners against a purple background. The image is associated with cervivor, an organization focused on supporting those affected by cervical cancer and other gynecologic cancers.
Join in the movement “Silent No More: Below the Belt Cancers Matter!”

In 2025, this awareness comes at a critical crossroads. Recent policy shifts — including restrictions on sexual and reproductive healthcare — are compounding the barriers people already face in accessing screenings, HPV vaccinations, and lifesaving treatment. Medicaid users, rural populations, and those without robust insurance are being pushed further into the margins, where late-stage diagnoses are more likely. Meanwhile, promising research and innovation in maternal health, contraception, and gynecologic care could change outcomes — but without equity in funding and delivery, many will never see those advances in time.

A Black woman with long, dark hair and highlights is pictured on the left side of the image, wearing a blue sweater and smiling slightly. To the right of the woman is a lavender text box containing a quote about healthcare access. The quote reads: "I was told coverage didn't apply to the test my doctor ordered. If I hadn't pushed, I might not be here today. Access isn't a privilege — it's survival." In the bottom-right corner of the image, there is a logo for "cervivor" with the tagline "informed. empowered. alive."
Kimberly Williams, Chief DEI Officer, Cervivor, Inc.

GCAM 2025 matters now more than ever. Silence is deadly. Stories save lives. And we are united in one mission: to spread awareness about gynecologic cancers so that no voice goes unheard, no symptom goes ignored, and no life is cut short.

Breaking the Silence: The Power of Story

Cancer disrupts lives in profound and lasting ways. Yet every time a survivor shares their experience, they create ripples of hope, comfort, and education for someone else. Stories aren’t just personal — they are community tools for change.

Three people are standing together in front of a wall with blue and white diagonal stripes. The person on the left is Caucasian and has long brown hair and is wearing a white "cervivor" shirt and blue jeans. The middle person is also Caucasian and has short blonde hair, is wearing a teal "cervivor" shirt and blue jeans, and has her arms around the other two. The person on the right is a Black woman who is bald, wearing a black shirt with a graphic that says "MAKING CANCER PAY!" and black pants. An orange text box on the left contains a quote: "When I shared my story, it wasn't just about me. It gave someone else the courage to ask their doctor questions — and that conversation identified pre-cancerous cells that were treated." The cervivor logo with the tagline "informed. empowered. alive." is at the bottom left.
Cervivor School Graduates, Julianna Ferrone, Cindy Trice, and Chanel Cooper

Cervivor’s mission is to amplify these voices so that no person faces gynecologic cancer alone and no warning sign is overlooked.

What You Need to Know: Symptoms & Cancers

Awareness begins with knowledge. Here are the five primary types of gynecologic cancers and their warning signs:

An orange background features a quote in white text that reads: "I dismissed bloating and pain for months. Looking back, I wish I had trusted my instincts sooner. Now I remind everyone: Listen to your body, even if it feels small." Below the quote is the logo for "cervivor" with the tagline "informed. empowered. alive."
  • Cervical Cancer → Abnormal bleeding, pelvic pain. Screened via Pap/HPV test.
  • Ovarian Cancer → Often called the “silent killer” for vague symptoms like bloating, abdominal pain, and urinary issues. No routine screening.
  • Uterine (Endometrial) Cancer → Unusual vaginal bleeding; linked to obesity and hormone factors.
  • Vulvar & Vaginal Cancers → Symptoms may include persistent itching, lumps, or sores. HPV vaccination provides protection.

Dispelling Myths

Misinformation creates dangerous delays. Let’s set the record straight:

  • Young people are not immune. Gynecologic cancers occur at every age.
  • Family history isn’t always the cause. HPV drives many cases.
  • Symptoms aren’t always obvious. Small or subtle changes matter.
  • These cancers can be survivable. Early detection saves lives.
A Caucasian woman with blonde hair and a warm smile is shown on the right side of the image, wearing a black blazer over a cream-colored top and adorned with a necklace and a teal ribbon pin. On the left side, against a periwinkle blue background, a quote in white text reads: "I WAS TOLD I WAS TOO YOUNG FOR CANCER. THAT FALSE REASSURANCE DELAYED MY DIAGNOSIS. NOBODY SHOULD BE DISMISSED WHEN THEIR HEALTH IS AT RISK." At the bottom left, the logo for "cervivor" appears with the tagline "informed. empowered. alive."
Cervivor Community Member, Athena Porter

Health Starts with Self-Care

Health is more than surviving disease; it is thriving in body, mind, and community. This holistic approach to wellness recognizes that our overall health is influenced by a complex interplay of factors, including our physical health, mental well-being, and social connections. By focusing on nurturing these different aspects of our lives, we can cultivate a deeper sense of vitality and resilience that goes beyond just avoiding illness. These five habits can make a difference:

  1. Keep your checkups. Prevention saves lives.
  2. Eat to support your health. Balance matters.
  3. Move your body in ways that work for you.
  4. Prioritize rest and recovery.
  5. Stay hydrated — it’s simple but powerful.
Pam Akers, a cervical cancer survivor from 2016, Cervivor School graduate, and 2025 Cervivor Champion, is featured in the Cervivor Spotlight. A photo shows Pam speaking at a podium with the Cervical Cancer Summit logo during an event with an American flag in the background. A quote from Pam reads, "For years I put everyone else first. Cancer showed me my health had to matter too. Self-care isn't selfish — it's essential." The image includes the Cervivor logo with the tagline "informed. empowered. alive."

Cervivor Ambassador, Pam Akers speaking at the 2025 Cervical Cancer Summit Powered by Cervivor, Inc.

Join our private Facebook community, Survivor Slimdown, where cancer survivors support and empower each other on their journey to a healthier, happier life beyond cancer. Share your story, get motivation, and connect with others who understand the unique challenges and triumphs of survivorship.

Advocacy and Action: Your Role in GCAM 2025

Cervivor is an organization driven by a profound commitment to making a difference in the lives of those affected by cervical cancer. Grounded in a deep understanding of the complexities and challenges surrounding this disease, Cervivor’s mission is built upon a foundation of support, education, and advocacy. This foundation is crucial in fostering an environment where survivors, caregivers, and allies can find support, resources, and a community with a collective voice to push for change. Cervivor’s purpose encompasses various initiatives and efforts that blend and create a comprehensive approach to addressing cancer. This purpose is encapsulated in three core pillars:

A bi-racial woman with blue hair and glasses stands smiling against a teal background on the right side of the image. On the left side, against a purple background, is a quote in white text that reads, "I speak up because my story may be the reason someone gets screened. That's how awareness becomes action." Below the quote is the logo for "cervivor" with the tagline "informed. empowered. alive."
  • Support and Empowerment → Safe spaces for survivors, caregivers, and allies.
  • Education and Awareness → Stories, resources, and campaigns that inform.
  • Advocacy for Equity → Advancing HPV vaccination, screening, and policy change so that access is a right, not a privilege.

Cervivor Ambassador, Christy Chambers

How to Get Involved

  • Wear your cancer colors to spark conversations.
  • Share your story on social media using Cervivor’s templates.
  • Educate your circle — share graphics, host conversations.
  • Join or host a meet-up to build local connections.
  • Contact media to elevate survivor voices.
  • Partner with Cervivor — every supporter helps push awareness forward.

Breaking Stigma, Embracing Diversity

Disparities remain stark. Communities of color, rural populations, and LGBTQ+ individuals face disproportionate risk and poorer outcomes. Cervivor is committed to equity: uplifting diverse voices, offering culturally competent resources, and ensuring language access so that every person can protect their health.

Three women (a Black woman, a Caucasian woman, and an Asian woman )are seated in chairs on a stage, engaged in a discussion. The woman on the right is holding a microphone and appears to be speaking. A quote overlay reads, "Representation matters. When I saw someone like me speaking out, I knew I wasn't alone." At the bottom of the image, the logo for "cervivor" is displayed with the tagline "informed. empowered. alive." The image has an orange-brown tint.
Cervical Cancer Survivors, Kimberly Williams, Aisha McClellan, and Arlene Simpson share their stories at the 2025 Cervical Cancer Summit Powered by Cervivor, Inc.

Looking Ahead: A Healthier Future

GCAM isn’t just a month on the calendar; it’s a catalyst for lasting awareness and change. Together, by sharing knowledge, building community, and standing united in one mission, we move closer to a future where:

  • Gynecologic cancers are rare.
  • Survivors thrive.
  • Every voice is heard and valued.

This September, own your story, spread awareness, and help Cervivor lead the way to a healthier, more informed world.

In Loving Memory of Doris Helene White Soares

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 group held 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.