What Erin Andrews' Story Can Help Us Understand About Cervical Cancer

On screen

Sportscaster Erin Andrews revealed in early 2017 that she had been diagnosed with cervical cancer after a routine visit to her gynecologist. She has emphasized that she had no symptoms at all — the cancer was caught because she kept up with her regular appointments — and that because it was found early, she was able to be treated with two surgeries and kept working through it, staying on NFL sidelines. In the years since, she has become a steady advocate for screening, has spoken candidly about how her diagnosis affected her fertility journey, and in 2026 partnered on a national campaign encouraging Americans to get routine cancer screenings.

We share only what she has chosen to make public, and we do not speculate about any private details of her care.

The reality

According to the National Cancer Institute, cervical cancer starts in the cells of the cervix, the lower, narrow end of the uterus. It usually develops slowly over time: before cancer appears, cervical cells go through changes called dysplasia, in which abnormal cells begin to appear in cervical tissue. If those abnormal cells are not removed, they may eventually become cancer and spread more deeply.

NCI states that long-lasting infection with HPV (human papillomavirus) causes almost all cervical cancers. That slow, stepwise development is exactly why screening works so well here: NCI explains that the goal of cervical screening is to find precancerous cell changes at a point when treatment can prevent cancer from developing at all — and that cervical cancer found early is usually easier to treat.

What the story gets right — and what to remember

Andrews' story is nearly a textbook illustration of NCI's screening message: she felt completely fine, and screening found the cancer anyway. By the time symptoms appear, NCI notes, cervical cancer may have begun to spread, making treatment more difficult. Her experience is encouraging, but every person's diagnosis and treatment differ, and her outcome doesn't predict anyone else's. Her fertility story is also a reminder that cancer's effects can be deeply personal — and that those conversations belong with a healthcare team.

Awareness, screening & prevention

NCI describes three ways to screen: the HPV test, the Pap test, and the HPV/Pap cotest. Current recommendations depend on age — the USPSTF recommends a first Pap test at 21, with Pap testing every 3 years through 29, and for ages 30 to 65, an HPV test every 5 years, a cotest every 5 years, or a Pap test every 3 years. NCI also notes that people who received the HPV vaccine still need routine screening. Our plain-language guide to cervical cancer screening covers what to expect, and our free screening check-up tool can gently show you which screenings you may be due for.

Turning a story into something useful

Erin Andrews' core message is disarmingly simple: keep the appointment, even when — especially when — you feel fine. Learning how cervical cancer develops, staying current on screening, and encouraging the people you love to do the same are calm, concrete steps. Sharing accurate information helps free cancer education travel as far as a sideline report.

Questions to ask a healthcare team

• Which cervical screening test is right for my age, and how often do I need it?
• What do abnormal Pap or HPV test results actually mean?
• I've had the HPV vaccine — what screening do I still need?
• How could cancer treatment affect fertility, and what options exist to plan ahead?