Stephanie Parcus’s journey is both a testament to perseverance and a cautionary tale on going from a seemingly perfectly healthy mom to a 30-day sprint from diagnosis to surgery and treatment.
“I had had trouble getting pregnant, without any identifiable cause, so we underwent IVF which was ultimately not successful. We were blessed to adopt our son and I embraced the busy life of raising a child,” says Stephanie, who splits time between Daytona Beach and Indiana.
In her early 40’s, she began experiencing pronounced pain during ovulation. She mentioned her concern to her primary care physician during her annual check-up. Since she wasn’t experiencing other symptoms such as irregular cycles or abnormal bleeding, her doctor assured her she was fine and possibly experiencing perimenopausal symptoms.
Following her father's passing in 2023, Stephanie reset to focus on her personal health and again raised concerns at her next checkup in 2024 to no avail. Feeling that something just wasn’t quite right, and now experiencing a couple of irregular cycles, Stephanie switched to a new primary care doctor that summer. By then she was bloated and not feeling well.
This time her concerns were taken seriously and her doctor ordered a CT scan which showed an inflamed ovary. She was quickly referred to a gynecologic oncologist who scheduled an exploratory procedure and possible hysterectomy.
Thirty days after the diagnosis, Stephanie underwent surgery during which endometrial cancer was discovered – a type of uterine cancer that had spread to her ovary. Thankfully, it was contained and had not spread to the lymph nodes. After recovering from surgery, she underwent six rounds of preventative chemotherapy and five weeks of radiation, with all treatment completed by May 2025.
“I’ve survived and I am so thankful for the friend who recommended I speak with the doctor who finally listened to me,” said Stephanie. “They told me most women are diagnosed with this type of cancer only after it reaches Stage IV and has spread. It underscored for me the importance of awareness and self-advocacy.”
Stephanie is now 17 months with “no evidence of disease” (NED) and is dedicated to spreading the word about being in tune with your body and noting when your “normal” experiences change.
Dr. Matthew Anderson, a board-certified gynecologic oncologist at Tampa General Hospital Cancer Center of South Florida and professor at the University of South Florida’s Morsani College of Medicine, agrees that Stephanie’s experience is not uncommon. “It’s important to see someone who specializes in diagnosing and treating endometrial cancer – a gynecologic oncologist with surgical experience. Survival rates are excellent if caught early.”
According to Dr. Anderson, the hallmark symptom that should prompt a trip to the doctor is abnormal bleeding or spotting in post-menopausal women. “Abnormal bleeding is cancer in only about 10% of cases, but it needs evaluation because if caught early, endometrial cancers can often be cured with a hysterectomy.” Hysterectomies no longer require multiple overnights in the hospital and a prolonged recovery. Many patients are able to go home the same day with minimal scarring due to laparoscopic surgery techniques.
Unfortunately, the incidence and mortality of endometrial cancer is rising due to obesity and diet. Genetic history is also a factor if you or your family have had breast or colon cancer, a condition known as Lynch syndrome.
“Whether you are peri- or post-menopause, there are certain symptoms to pay attention to: new irregular bleeding, persistent cramping, discomfort, pelvic pressure, and a feeling you are full when you shouldn’t be,” according to Dr. Anderson. “Advocate for yourself, see your doctor, and ask for a pelvic ultrasound.” Ultrasounds can be done quickly in the office and are a relatively inexpensive way to measure the uterine lining. A thickening of the lining can indicate endometrial cancer and the need for a biopsy. Outpatient endometrial biopsies, or a hysteroscopy, are considered the gold standard for evaluating abnormal post-menopausal bleeding.
“There is no test for endometrial cancer like the PAP smear for cervical cancer,” said Dr. Anderson. “The only way to diagnose it is with a biopsy. If you have symptoms that persist or cause you concern, it’s important to see your doctor.”
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Travel is my passion so planning our next adventure while I was in treatment helped me stay positive and focus on the future.
I’ve survived and I am so thankful for the friend who recommended I speak with the doctor who finally listened to me. Endometrial cancer has a high survival rate (95% for at least five years) if caught early.