Alesha knows firsthand the value of a regular Pap test – it saved both her life and her daughter’s, not to mention the lives of thousands of women every year. Here’s Alesha’s story:

It was 2013 and a few days after my annual pap exam. I was having a hectic day at work, but something told me to answer the phone when my gynecologist called. She had my Pap results and wanted to schedule a biopsy. My stomach sank. Fast forward to a few weeks later, I have the biopsy and the results confirm that I need to have surgery to remove a piece of my cervix to remove cells that have high potential to turn cancerous. Talk about devastated. Google tells me (never Google your symptoms btw 😭😂) it’s possible that I’m never having children, and I call my sister crying hysterically in an empty conference room. But this story has a happy ending. You see that little girl there? She is proof that the pap test saves lives.

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There are some things that you'll never forget. #ad ▪️ It was 2013 and a few days after my annual Pap exam. I was having a hectic day at work, but something told me to answer the phone when my gynecologist called. She had my Pap results and wanted to schedule a biopsy. My stomach sank. Fast forward to a few weeks later, I have the biopsy and the results confirm that I need to have surgery to remove a large piece of my cervix to remove cells that have high potential to turn cancerous. Talk about devastated. Google tells me (never Google your symptoms btw 😭😂) it's possible that I'm never having children, and I call my sister crying hysterically in an empty conference room. But this story has a happy ending. You see that little girl there? She is proof that the Pap test saves lives. ▪️ For years, it has been recommended that cervical cancer screening tests for women include the Pap and HPV test. The Pap test has been leading the fight against cervical cancer for decades. Before introduction of the screening, cervical cancer was the #1 cancer killer of women. Now, it’s #14. That’s a drastic difference. But now proposed changes to the guidelines could eliminate the Pap, leaving thousands of women vulnerable to incomplete testing. We can’t let that happen. Not only do these two tests work well together to give a comprehensive screening, eliminating the well-known Pap test could lead women to believe they don't need access to the regular exams that protect their reproductive health. We have to exercise our voice and fight to #protectthepap because without it, women like me might not be here. I truly believe it saved my life and gave me my greatest gift. ▪️ Do you have a story about how the Pap test has affected your life or the life of someone you know? Please share it. We can't be silent about this. We have a voice and it's our duty to use it to shape the guidelines that have an impact on our bodies and our lives. ▪️ Please check out @ProtectThePap and protectthepap.com to learn more! #PTP Paid for by Protect the Pap

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