Jenna Anne Johnson, who turned to TikTok after receiving her diagnosis, documented her experience and answered questions from other users. She explained that she initially went to the doctor for what she thought was just an upset stomach, but the results of further tests revealed something much more serious: cervical cancer.
Jenna urged women to attend their smear tests regularly, as hers had returned abnormal results, which led to further investigations and her eventual diagnosis. Cervical cancer is a type of cancer that occurs in the cervix—the opening between the vagina and the womb. According to the NHS, it is most common in women aged between 30 and 35, but it can affect women of any age.
Initially, doctors believed Jenna’s cancer was at stage three, but after more tests, it was found that lymph nodes below her diaphragm were affected. These nodes increased significantly, from just a couple to 12 spread across her body. Eventually, her doctors determined that the cancer was no longer curable, and she was diagnosed with stage four, as it had spread throughout her body.
Jenna shared the main symptoms she had experienced, which included extreme fatigue and severe abdominal cramps. She explained that she had been sleeping an extra five hours a day, which many people around her had mistakenly attributed to laziness. However, this turned out to be a symptom of her cancer.
Additionally, Jenna described experiencing intense abdominal cramps, which she initially mistook for something like constipation. The pain was so severe that she found herself on her hands and knees, praying for the discomfort to stop.
Now undergoing aggressive chemotherapy, Jenna described cancer as her biggest fear but expressed how it has taught her the importance of living life to the fullest and being honest about her experiences.
The NHS outlines common symptoms of cervical cancer, which include unusual vaginal bleeding, changes to vaginal discharge, pain during sex, and persistent pain in the lower back, pelvis, or abdomen. It is important for women to see a GP if any of these symptoms persist or change, as early detection can greatly impact outcomes.
