Turning Pain into Purpose After a Cervical Cancer Diagnosis

Avi Grant’s life changed forever on August 19, 2021. She was a newlywed, thriving in her career, and looking forward to growing her family. But it’s also when she was diagnosed with stage III cervical cancer.

Her journey began in September 2019, when she suffered a devastating miscarriage just before finding out the sex of her baby. Besides having concerns about her fertility, Avi had a feeling that something was wrong. She wasn’t getting enough information to answer her repeated questions during doctor visits. Determined to find out more and get the answers she needed, she switched gynecologists.

Her new doctor immediately took action, performing a series of tests and soon discovering what others had missed: Avi had cervical cancer. As an informed patient who routinely uses an app to access her medical records, Avi first saw her diagnosis when the test results were added to her chart online—even before her doctor called about the results.

"Of course, I Googled it," she said. "I saw ‘squamous cell carcinoma’ and immediately knew I had cancer.”

She was shocked and devastated, but it was in her nature not to give up. Shortly after she heard her diagnosis, determination kicked in, and she wanted to know what needed to be done next.

Enduring Treatment

Avi’s treatment plan was aggressive: countless medical procedures followed by chemotherapy and external and internal radiation (brachytherapy). The brachytherapy in particular was a process that left her feeling traumatized due to how it’s done and the significant side effects it can have. 

Brachytherapy treatment is an effective way to directly radiate the area of the tumor. Brachytherapy devices are designed to be placed inside your body, very close to the tumor. This way the radiation harms as few normal cells as possible. For Avi, this meant having a large radioactive device inserted into her vagina and being unable to move while the device was in place. “I want women to know what to expect with this treatment. If we knew the process and saw the equipment in advance, it could reduce fear and anxiety around it,” she said.

Despite the physical and emotional toll of her treatments, Avi pushed forward with a strength that would define her survival.

Cancer’s Mental, Emotional Toll

Avi’s journey wasn’t just about the physical toll of cancer. It was also about the mental and emotional aftermath of her diagnosis. When treatment ended, she found herself struggling with depression and anxiety, conditions she had not even thought of and didn’t know much about.

"I didn’t feel like myself," she admitted. "Even my husband would ask if I wanted to go out, and I just wanted to be home. That’s when I knew something was wrong."

Seeking professional help, she learned the importance of caring for mental health, a topic she feels is often overlooked during cancer treatment and when treatment ends. "People don’t want to talk about mental health, but we need to talk about it. It’s OK not to be OK,” she said.

Finding Strength in Support

Through it all, Avi refused to let cancer define her in a negative way. She sought out support, finding comfort in organizations including the American Cancer Society (ACS). She became an advocate, sharing her story in news interviews and at community events.

ACS played a significant role in her recovery, providing valuable connections and opportunities to raise awareness, including at her local Relay For Life® events. 

"Relay For Life at Florida International University was where it all started," Avi said. "I met so many incredible people, including those at the American Cancer Society, and I realized how powerful sharing my story could be."

This connection also brought her closer to support networks and resources that helped her navigate life during and after treatment, something she feels is often neglected. "Nobody talks about what happens after cancer. It’s like, ‘Congratulations, you did amazing. Now go live life.’ But I had to figure out how to live again," she said.

Hope for the Future

Today, Avi is healthy and continues to spread her message. She emphasizes the importance of getting regular cervical cancer screening and how early detection can save lives. She also advocates for health care professionals to truly listen to their patients and to spread the message that life after cancer is an ongoing journey. She and her husband have plans to expand their family through adoption, a testament to her unwavering hope and resilience. "We have so much love to give. Why not give it to a child in need?"

Avi’s story isn’t just about surviving. It’s about making her survivorship count. She is a voice for those who feel unheard, a mentor for those newly diagnosed, and a fierce advocate for change.

"Cancer changes you,” she said. “Everyone expects you to go back to the way you were, back to normal, but it isn’t like that. I’ve changed. Cancer changed me.”