Judy Blume, the 84-year-old beloved author of “Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing” and “Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret,” and a true generational icon, faced two cancer diagnoses in her life.
In 2012, she was diagnosed with breast cancer and underwent a mastectomy. It was only later that she revealed she was also a cervical cancer survivor, having had a hysterectomy 17 years prior due to HPV-related cervical cancer (CBS).
These experiences have inspired Judy to become an advocate for women’s health and support organizations like Planned Parenthood, as well as promote the importance of annual health checkups and HPV vaccinations for women.
Diagnosis and Treatment
It was the June 2012 and in the midst of planning a trip to Italy, Judy Blume got a call from her doctor. Her biopsy results were in and she had breast cancer. It was caught early, but a mastectomy needed to performed and reconstruction was done using a silicone implant.
Judy’s experience with breast cancer was not an isolated event. In fact, she had previously battled cervical cancer 17 years prior.
Cervical Cancer and HPV
17 years ago, Blume was diagnosed with cervical cancer due to HPV. Fortunately, it was caught early, and she underwent a hysterectomy, something which thankfully did not have any lasting impact on her health.
According to an article in The Atlantic, she felt that something was wrong, but didn’t know it was cervical cancer until after her surgery. Her quick intervention and early detection saved her life, and she is now cancer-free.
To ensure early detection and a fast recovery, Epicentre offers a 40+ Women’s Wellness Package that includes a Carcinoembryonic Antigen Marker test to screen for tumour markers in the blood.
Have you undergone the test yet? Early detection is critical for a positive outcome.
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