Cervical cancer patient achieves dream of becoming a mom

Newlywed Erin D'Avanzo, 27, struggled with minor pelvic pain and unusual periods since she was a teenager — issues she didn't think much of. But after she got married, her symptoms became noticeably worse. She experienced bleeding between periods as well as after intercourse. Her husband, Joey, encouraged her to see her primary care doctor as soon as they returned from their honeymoon.

"I had a normal pelvic exam and ultrasound just a few months before my wedding," says D'Avanzo. "When I saw my doctor again just six months later, she detected a tumor in my cervix that had grown so large it was visible during the exam."

Unexpected diagnosis

Erin's doctor referred her to David Holtz, MD, gynecological oncologist for Main Line Health, who saw her the very next day. Dr. Holtz biopsied the tumor, which confirmed it was cervical cancer.

"I was shocked. I didn't know what to think," recalls Erin. "This wasn't how I thought I would start my marriage."

Tailored treatment

"I am an elementary school teacher and love kids. I've always wanted a family. It was devastating to think we couldn't have children of our own," says Erin. "Dr. Holtz knew how important this was and immediately referred me for egg preservation."

Erin met with Isaac Sasson, MD, PhD, Main Line Health obstetrician and gynecologist who specializes in reproductive endocrinology and infertility. Dr. Sasson successfully streamlined the process for egg preservation so Erin could quickly move forward with treatment.

Only about one month after her initial diagnosis, Erin began chemotherapy with Dr. Holtz at Paoli Hospital. Before each of her three sessions, she was fitted with a cold cap, a device that cools the scalp and constricts blood flow to the hair follicles, helping protect her from hair loss.

"Going through cancer treatment was difficult," she said. "Feeling as good about myself as possible helped."

The chemotherapy worked. Erin's tumor shrank, allowing Dr. Holtz to perform a robotic-assisted radical hysterectomy, removing the cancer completely.

Detection and prevention

Cervical cancer that’s detected before symptoms appear is much more treatable. It is also one of the easiest cancers to prevent. Almost all cervical cancers are caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV).

HPV is spread through sexual contact and can cause cellular changes in the cervix that may lead to cancer. Regular testing, like Pap smears and HPV screenings, can identify these cell changes so they can be treated before they turn into cancer.

Another effective prevention method is HPV vaccination. The HPV vaccine effectively protects against strains of the virus that have the highest risk of developing into cancer. Experts recommend all boys and girls get the vaccine by age 11 or 12 or before becoming sexually active. But it is available to anyone ages 9 to 45.

"I vaccinated my own son and daughter when they were 10 years old," says Dr. Holtz. "But if you are older or have already been sexually active, the vaccine is still beneficial. Talk to your doctor."

Celebrating life

Today, five years after treatment, Erin is not only cancer-free, she's also a mother. Unable to carry her own child after surgery, she and her husband turned to a surrogate using his sperm and her preserved eggs. Last May — on Erin's own birthday — their son, Frankie, was born.

"Dr. Holtz was amazing. He always explained my treatment options and left decisions up to me," explains Erin. "My entire team catered to my needs. As a result, we now have Frankie. I couldn't be happier."

Next steps:

Make an appointment with David Holtz, MD
Make an appointment with Isaac Sasson, MD, PhD
Learn more about cancer care at Main Line Health