Meet Samantha Gonzales-Russell: Three-Time Cervical Cancer Survivor

Meet Samantha Gonzales-Russell, a three-time cervical cancer survivor who lives in Las Vegas and advocates for other women in the gynecologic cancer community.

Where did your cervical cancer journey begin?

My cancer journey began in 2016 at 27 years old. Abnormal symptoms, then an abnormal pap test led me to address things with my gynecologist, but the follow-ups felt low urgency on both ends. Through a span of several months, I got married, my symptoms worsened, and I found a gynecologic oncologist. That’s when my worst fears were confirmed. She diagnosed me with cervical cancer on my very first visit. 

I went through treatment then, and about two years later, I had my first cervical cancer recurrence. The year was now 2018, I was 29 years old, and I spent another year of my life in treatment. Before I got my diagnosis, my doctors dismissed my concerns, but I kept pushing for answers. I finally found them late one night at the ER.

How was I facing cancer again before I even turned 30?

By the end of 2019, I was given a clear scan and hoped for a completely clean bill of health.

In early 2020, as the pandemic began to unfold, I found out that my cancer recurred again. At the time, my doctors told me I had no options left, but I refused to accept that. My husband and I temporarily moved out of state to Los Angeles, where I was able to receive extensive treatment and a very all-encompassing surgery. I have been in remission ever since. 

What did your initial treatment look like?

My first order of treatment for cervical cancer was a radical hysterectomy, a surgery that removed my reproductive organs. At the time, my doctors didn’t believe that I would need any additional treatment. We moved on, but my first recurrence made things a lot more intense. I would have additional surgeries, chemotherapy, radiation, and immunotherapy. 

My second recurrence led my new doctors to a far more extreme treatment. I had a pelvic exenteration, a surgery that removed everything from my pelvis because the cancer spread. The surgery removed all the cancer, but it also changed everything. Now, I’ll live the rest of my life with two ostomies, medical devices that allow me to use the restroom in an entirely new way. I had to completely start over; relearn how to live, how to do even the simplest things differently. And to get through it all, I had to show myself compassion as I adjusted to this entirely new way of being.

Healing has been a long journey for me.

So many of us in the cancer community feel like cancer is holding us back. After active treatment ends, we’re so excited to jump back into life, but I’ve learned that life doesn’t always follow our timeline. My healing process requires me to slow down and take time and space to care for myself. I needed to recover from the physical and mental trauma, which is a long, difficult, but extremely valuable process.

Where are you now on your healing journey?

It’s been five years since my last treatment. I’ve learned that healing is a constant practice and process. I’ve come a really long way from where I started, but I’ll always carry this experience with me. 

I’m telling my story because I think it’s important, especially as women, to share our stories and raise awareness about these conditions. I’ve had to unlearn staying small and quiet, and it saved my life. It’s thanks to my own advocacy that I’m still here. And it’s really important for me to continue to share my story and empower other women to do the same for themselves.

What work have you done in the women’s advocacy space?

In 2024, I worked with the City of Las Vegas to have January officially recognized as Cervical Cancer Awareness month, and we lit up the iconic Las Vegas sign to mark it.

This year, we took the campaign to new heights literally, by lighting up the High Roller (another iconic landmark in our city). I hope these events serve as a big reminder that our stories deserve to be seen, not shamed.  

I also speak and use social media to share what it’s actually like to live through recurrent cancer and life after treatment, especially the parts that don’t get talked about enough. Collaborating with other advocates, healthcare professionals, and lawmakers has been a big part of my life these days too. Our conversations work to bridge the gap and build momentum for health education and empowerment. I hope through my content creation, policy meetings, and community organizing that we’re able to really change how we talk about and address women’s health. 

Mental Health & Cancer: Let’s Talk About It

I’ve learned that none of us are immune to struggling. So many of us are taught to act like it’s not a big deal and just “get back on the horse,” but it’s really not that easy. I hope that others out there are taking the time and space for themselves to feel and process all the emotions they need to.

You are not alone.

There is a community out there who truly gets it. Cancer has a way of making us feel isolated. But taking a step back, especially through my recovery, I’ve realized the opposite. The journey has shown me people showing up in the most unexpected ways. I’ve connected with folks on a deeper level than before. And through getting involved in advocacy organizations like Cervivor and ACS CAN, I’ve found a true network of support and understanding. It’s beautiful and powerful that we can lean on each other.

It’s also important to know there are so many resources out in the world for people to reach out to. There are social workers available at your medical facility. Professional therapists in your community who focus on cancer survivorship or healing from traumatic experiences. Support groups can be helpful. I hope that people feel empowered to reach out and get the care they deserve. 

Do you have advice for anyone who has recently been diagnosed with cervical cancer, or who is facing a recurrence?

Love yourself and take care of yourself.  It’s not something we’re thinking about when we’re trying to survive and we can end up paying a big price for neglecting ourselves in that way. If we are able to tune into our needs and find support in these difficult moments in our lives, I think we’re all the better for it.

Self-care doesn’t look the same for everybody.

For some, it might be getting involved in a community organization. For others, it’s a yoga class, taking an extra day off, or something as simple as boundaries. Whatever it is, do it for you. You deserve that care and grace for yourself. So many people, even when they’re going through something like cancer, don’t feel like they deserve a break. Everyone NEEDS a break to let their bodies process and heal. There were times in and post treatment when I felt like I wasn’t doing enough or I wasn’t working hard enough. I wasn’t fighting enough, and I wouldn’t cut myself any slack. I realized I have to ease off the gas sometimes, or I’ll crash. And when it comes to cancer, crashing isn’t an option. I’ve found that when we give ourselves a small sense of balance, we end up in a healthier place.

How did having cancer shift your relationships with friends and family? 

I started by telling my inner circle that I had cancer. It was such a difficult thing to do, but honesty has always been the best policy for me. You can be carefully honest, though. There are a lot of harsh realities that people experience going through this, so you don’t have to tell people everything. Tell people what they need to know, or what you feel most comfortable sharing. It was the best way to go about it for me.

My circle changed a lot after being diagnosed with cancer. I know I wouldn’t be the first survivor to say that. You lose people, you make new friends. It’s just a reality of going through something life-changing. But on the positive side, the relationships that do last become that much stronger and more special. You know that those people are going to be there for you no matter what and vice versa. Letting go of certain relationships is painful, but what’s left is real, and that makes it worth it. 

Cancer will impact you on such a deep level.

I’m not grateful that it happened, but it completely shifted my perspective. After going through this, I learned how to prioritize who and what’s important in my life. I’ve gained so much clarity and intention. You start to realize how much it means to spend time with people you love and who truly love you back. At the end of the day, you have to live your one life true to yourself.  

What do you want others to know about life beyond cancer?

It’s complicated and that’s okay! For a long time, I told myself cancer was behind me. I’m great, it’s fine now. And sometimes, I still feel stuck and weighed down. After all these years, there’s a part of me that is and probably will always be hurt. But I’ve learned that acknowledging her doesn’t make me any less of a survivor. Both can be true.

As life changes, how you feel about your cancer journey will also change. I can’t stress enough to allow yourself compassion for your process and your feelings. It’s given me more peace. It’s okay to have complicated emotions because cancer is a complicated thing to go through. 

For people who haven’t experienced cancer firsthand, here’s something to keep in mind: your loved one may be done with treatment, but that doesn’t mean it’s in the past. Cancer becomes a part of who you are and adjusting takes time. Some people are ready to move on and some need space. Both are valid and it’s helpful to meet them where they are. Your presence makes all the difference. 

And if you’re going through it, here’s your gentle reminder that there’s no one right way to move forward and heal. There’s no timeline or expectation you have to meet. Wherever you are in the process, I hope you give yourself credit. If you’re pushing through or still finding your way, honor that. Be proud of your journey. Be proud of you. And keep going.

Photo courtesy of author.