At 32 years old, cancer was the last thing on Shannon’s mind. She and her husband had just come back from living in Australia and were settling into a busy life filled with family and friends.
One day, Shannon began experiencing some spotting and unusual symptoms, and decided to go to her doctor. It had been more than 5 years since Shannon was screened for cervical cancer, so her doctor performed a Pap test.
The test results confirmed that she had cervical cancer. Shannon was shocked.
Cervical cancer is almost entirely preventable through HPV vaccination and cervical screening. After her diagnosis, Shannon wished she had gone for a Pap test sooner.
“I did not pay attention to getting a Pap test. In fact, I didn’t have one for many years,” she says.
Becoming an advocate for cervical cancer screening
Over a period of 6 weeks, Shannon had chemotherapy, radiation therapy and brachytherapy, a form of internal radiation.
Her husband, family and friends became a strong support system during her treatment. Though she was feeling frightened, Shannon stayed positive and used humor to cope throughout her cancer experience.
As a result of the cancer treatment, Shannon started menopause at just 32 and lost the ability to have children.
At the time I was dealing with so much, and to top it off the cancer treatments put me into menopause.
In March 2011, Shannon found out she was cancer-free.
Since then, she’s become a vocal cervical cancer screening advocate. She talks to friends, family and nearly everyone she meets about how important Pap tests are.
"When I think back, having a Pap test could have prevented my cancer and I’d be able to have kids," says Shannon.
In 2011, she was inspired to take part in her first Canadian Cancer Society Relay For Life event. She proudly walked in the Lap of Hope and raised more than $2,300.
"Women need to talk about this. I know Pap tests are not the most pleasant thing to experience but going through radiation and chemotherapy is far worse. I want to shout it from rooftops that women need to schedule regular Pap tests with their doctor," she adds.
In 2025, an estimated 1,650 Canadians will be diagnosed with cervical cancer, and 430 lives will be lost – each one from a disease that can be prevented.
Nearly all cases of cervical cancer are from HPV infection. Many regions across Canada are now moving toward HPV testing as the primary screening method for cervical cancer.
When compared to the Pap test, the HPV test is more sensitive, easier to read and doesn’t need to be done as often. Through HPV testing, we can better detect high-risk types of HPV that lead to cervical cancer.
Cervical cancer cases are no longer declining
Five years after the World Health Organization launched its global strategy to eliminate cervical cancer, new data shows that cervical cancer rates are no longer declining in Canada following years of steady progress. This trend raises concerns that Canada could be at risk of not making its 2040 elimination goal.
The Canadian Cancer Society is calling on provincial and territorial governments to:
- implement HPV testing as the primary screening method
- offer self-administered HPV tests to increase participation
- adopt a ‘once eligible, always eligible’ HPV vaccination policy catch up program to remove cost barriers for those who missed school-based programs
- monitor and improve how effective programs are at reaching those in communities that are underserved
Eliminating cervical cancer is within reach. Help make a difference by joining us and taking action on cervical cancer.