CARLSBAD — Farrah Adams had a lot going on between her catering business, a large boxer dog and an active social life that included girls’ trips to wine country and vacations with her husband, Rich.
Then, at age 46, Adams began experiencing heavy periods and a dull pain in her lower back. She said that despite the seemingly subtle symptoms, she knew something was wrong.
“I was looking for answers at that point,” Adams said.
It had been close to six years since the Carlsbad resident had her last Pap smear, despite recommendations to get one every three to five years. Adams ultimately underwent a series of tests, including biopsies of her cervix and uterus, which revealed in March 2023 that she had stage 3 cervical cancer.
She is sharing her story with The Coast News to encourage women to get regular Pap smears as part of a proactive approach to reproductive health. January is Cervical Cancer Awareness Month.
In 2025, an estimated 13,360 women were diagnosed with the disease, according to the National Cancer Institute. The human papillomavirus, or HPV, is the most common cause of cervical cancer.
“I think what we should do is not look at cancer as a one-stop shop for everybody,” Adams said. “No two journeys are the same. I think you need to look at your diagnosis and listen to your doctors and get a game plan for yourself instead of worrying about ‘what if?’”
Following her diagnosis, Adams was introduced to Dr. Jo Marie Janco, director of the gynecologic cancer program at Scripps Cancer Center and a Scripps Clinic physician. Janco helped quarterback Adams’ treatment plan and performed the hysterectomy.
“We put together a multidisciplinary team with a medical oncologist to help with the chemotherapy, a radiation oncologist, whose expertise is in radiation treatment,” Janco said.
Adams underwent six rounds of chemotherapy and 32 rounds of radiation as part of the treatment plan. Repeated testing over the last two years has shown no signs of a cancer recurrence.
Adams said one misconception was that the treatments were more manageable with her lifestyle than she had thought they might be.
“I wasn’t deathly ill,” she said. “I was able to get outside and have walks and do a routine.”
That routine included three walks per day with her dog, “big boxer boy.”
“He’s actually been my little sidekick through all this,” she said.
Janco continues to monitor Adams regularly.
“It’s important to really stay in touch with your doctor to get screened and make sure you develop an individualized and appropriate plan for yourself,” Janco said.
Adams said Janco also recommended acupuncture as part of a holistic approach, which she appreciated.
“As a health care community, we’re here to help,” Janco said. “It’s no judgment. People really should feel very comfortable talking to their doctors about any issues or concerns.”
She added that an important part of the cervical cancer awareness effort is normalizing conversations around what can be a difficult subject for many women.
“I think we’ve gotten a lot better about talking about breast cancer, which had similar stigmas back in the day,” Janco said. “I think we need to do the same thing about gynecologic cancer and normalize it. It’s part of your health. It’s part of your body.”
Janco added that another proactive step people can take is to get vaccinated against HPV. The vaccine has been approved for people ages 9 to 45, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
“It’s important for men to be aware that they have a role here too,” Janco said. “HPV is prevalent in all of us and they should consider being vaccinated as well. It’s not just about women.”
Adams said talking to the media about her cancer journey was “out of my comfort zone.”
“But at the same time, if it helps one person then that’s what I’m here for,” she said. “I know it’s private, but at the same time, you’ve just got to make time for it and not be so scared to schedule appointments and do your due diligence.”
Adams added that the experience has also reminded her of what makes life great.
“Don’t sweat the small stuff and definitely live life to the fullest,” she said.
Adams said she is “grateful for every day that I have [because] tomorrow’s not promised for any of us.”
