Health
Ohio nurse and mom beats cervical cancer as expert shares warning signs you should never ignore
Each year, about 4,000 women die of cervical cancer in the U.S. and around 11,500 new cases are diagnosed. The vast majority of them are caused by HPV (Human Papillomavirus).
Bridgette Rillo, a registered nurse and mother of two in Dayton, Ohio, was just 35 when she was diagnosed with cervical cancer in 2018.
Now 41, she is aiming to raise awareness of the link between HPV and cervical cancer.
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Before Rillo’s diagnosis, she was running a few months late for her yearly screening.
“As busy moms, we tend to put our care to the side,” she told Fox News Digital. “I just kind of put it off because I was busy with my kids and patients.”
Bridgette Rillo, a NICU nurse and mother of two, is pictured with her husband at the Boonshoft Museum in Dayton during a fundraising event. (Bridgette Rillo)
After the screening, her doctor called and said the results were “abnormal” and that Rillo was positive for HPV. It’s the most common sexually transmitted infection (STI) in the United States, according to the CDC.
After further tests, doctors confirmed that Rillo had cervical cancer.
It was Stage 1A2, which means the cancer was between 3 and 5 millimeters deep.
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“I did not have any symptoms, so it was definitely not expected when I got the call,” she told Fox News Digital.
“All of my screenings prior to that were fine.”
As the doctors explained to Rillo, HPV can lay dormant in the body for years until something triggers it to activate and become positive.
In addition to cervical cancer, the Human Papillomavirus can also cause anal, vulvar, vaginal, mouth/throat and penile cancers. (iStock)
After receiving various treatments, Rillo was declared cancer-free.
Now that she has reached her five-year milestone, she will only need to get regular yearly screenings.
As a NICU nurse and busy mom, Rillo said her HPV and cervical cancer experience has changed how she prioritizes her own health and wellness.
“If I had not gone back to the doctor, my story could have been much different.”
“In order to take care of other people, you have to take care of yourself,” she said. “It’s important that women go for their yearly screenings and get any other screenings their doctors recommend.”
“My last screening just a year and four months prior was negative,” Rillo added. “If I hadn’t gone back to the doctor, my story could have been much different.”
Connection between HPV and cervical cancer
For 90% of women with HPV, the virus clears on its own within two years without any symptoms or treatment — but for the remainder, it can cause health problems that include genital warts and various types of cancer, per the CDC.
In most cases, HPV does not cause any symptoms.
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In addition to cervical cancer, the virus can also cause anal, vulvar, vaginal, mouth/throat and penile cancers, according to Dr. Pari Ghodsi, a board-certified OB/GYN and Merck spokesperson who practices in Los Angeles.
“Anyone who is sexually active can be at risk of becoming infected with HPV,” Ghodsi told Fox News Digital. “There’s no way of knowing who will clear the virus and who won’t.”
This image provided by Merck in October 2018 shows a vial and packaging for the Gardasil 9 vaccine, which is designed to protect against HPV. (AP Images)
“That’s why it’s really important to practice prevention and speak to your doctor about ways to prevent HPV-related cancers and to undergo HPV screening.”
The average age of cervical cancer diagnosis is 50, but patients can range from age 20 to 80, the doctor noted.
“There’s no way of knowing who will clear the virus and who won’t.”
“But it can take a long time for the HPV to progress into cervical cancer — it can take years or even decades,” Ghodsi said.
There is a vaccine available to help prevent HPV, which is administered in two or three doses depending on age.
The CDC recommends that all females start the vaccine series at age 11 or 12.
Each year, about 4,000 women die of cervical cancer in the U.S. and around 11,500 new cases are diagnosed. (iStock)
“At any age, having a new sex partner is a risk factor for getting a new HPV infection,” the CDC states on its website. “People who are in a long-term, mutually monogamous relationship are not likely to get a new HPV infection.”
Ghodsi recommends that everyone speak to their physician about ways to prevent HPV from progressing to cancer.
Warning signs of cervical cancer
Although HPV typically has no symptoms, cervical cancer can come with some warning signs as it begins to progress.
Valentina Milanova, a women’s health expert and founder of gynecological health company Daye in the U.K., emphasized the need to be aware of these five often-overlooked red flags.
1. Abnormal bleeding
This is one of the most common symptoms of cervical cancer, Milanova noted.
“It can manifest as bleeding after sexual intercourse, between menstrual periods or post-menopause,” she told Fox News Digital.
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“Any unusual bleeding should be reported to a health care professional immediately.”
2. Pelvic pain
Unexplained pain in the pelvic region — the lowest part of the abdomen and pelvis — is another warning sign of cervical cancer.
Unexplained pain in the pelvic region — the lowest part of the abdomen and pelvis — is a warning sign of cervical cancer. (iStock)
“This pain can often be dismissed or attributed to other causes, but persistent pelvic discomfort with no apparent reason should be investigated,” Milanova said.
3. Pain during sexual activity
Discomfort or pain during intimacy can be a symptom of cervical cancer, the doctor warned.
“It’s important to communicate with your health care provider about any pain experienced during sexual activity,” said Milanova.
4. Unusual discharge
Changes in vaginal discharge, such as an increase in volume, changes in consistency or a foul odor, can be indicative of cervical cancer, the doctor said.
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“Any significant changes in vaginal discharge should be discussed with a health care provider,” she told Fox News Digital.
5. Urinary problems
Advanced cervical cancer can cause urinary symptoms such as frequent urination, difficulty or pain during urination, or blood in the urine, according to Milanova.
Regular screenings and early detection are the best means of improving cervical cancer outcomes, experts say. (iStock)
“While these symptoms can be caused by conditions other than cervical cancer, they should not be ignored,” she said.
It’s crucial to consult with a health care professional if you experience any of those symptoms, Milanova said.
“Regular screenings and early detection are our best tools in the fight against cervical cancer,” she added.
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Collagen supplements have exploded in popularity, touted as everything from an anti-aging miracle to a muscle recovery booster.
But a sweeping new review conducted by U.K. researchers suggests that while collagen may help improve skin elasticity and ease arthritis pain, it does little for athletic performance or wrinkle reduction.
Researchers from Anglia Ruskin University analyzed 16 systematic reviews and 113 randomized controlled trials involving nearly 8,000 participants worldwide, which they say is the most extensive evaluation of collagen’s health effects to date.
The review found consistent evidence that collagen supplementation improves skin elasticity and hydration over time and provides significant relief from osteoarthritis-related joint pain and stiffness, according to findings published in Aesthetic Surgery Journal Open Forum.
A large U.K. review found that collagen supplements may improve skin elasticity and hydration over time. (iStock)
The researchers, however, did not find meaningful improvements in post-exercise muscle recovery, soreness or tendon mechanical properties (strength, springiness and stretch resistance).
“Collagen is not a cure-all, but it does have credible benefits when used consistently over time, particularly for skin and osteoarthritis,” co-author Lee Smith, professor of public health at Anglia Ruskin University, said in a statement.
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“Our findings show clear benefits in key areas of healthy aging, while also dispelling some of the myths surrounding its use,” Smith added.
Collagen, the most abundant protein in the body, supports skin, bones, tendons, cartilage and connective tissue, according to experts. Natural collagen production begins to drop in early adulthood and declines more sharply with age.
The study found that collagen supplements may help reduce joint pain and stiffness in people with osteoarthritis. (iStock)
The review found that long-term collagen supplementation was linked to improved skin firmness and hydration, but did not help skin roughness — a proxy for visible wrinkles.
Benefits appear to accumulate gradually, suggesting that collagen should not be viewed as an “anti-wrinkle ‘quick fix,’ but as a foundational dermal support for individuals seeking holistic skin maintenance,” the researchers said.
“If we define anti-aging as a product or technique designed to prevent the appearance of getting older, then I believe our findings do support this claim for some parameters,” Smith told the BBC. “For example, an improvement in skin tone and moisture is associated with a more youthful-looking appearance.”
Collagen supplementation was linked to reduced pain and stiffness in people with osteoarthritis, with stronger benefits seen over longer periods of use, and showed modest improvements in muscle mass and tendon structure that may support healthy aging.
Collagen did not significantly improve skin roughness, a marker of visible wrinkles. (iStock)
However, it did not show meaningful results when used as a fast-acting sports performance supplement, and evidence for benefits related to cholesterol, blood sugar, blood pressure and oral health was mixed or inconclusive.
Dr. Daniel Ghiyam, a California-based physician and longevity specialist, said the findings align with what he sees in clinical practice.
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“Collagen is a targeted support tool, not a foundation of health or performance,” Ghiyam, who was not involved in the study, told Fox News Digital. “When marketed that way, it makes sense. When marketed as a cure-all, it doesn’t hold up to the data.”
The authors noted that while many previous collagen studies have received financial support from the supplement industry, the current review did not receive industry funding.
Experts say collagen supplements may offer modest benefits for skin hydration and joint comfort, but they are not a cure-all. (iStock)
The team called for more high-quality clinical trials examining long-term outcomes, optimal dosages and differences between collagen sources, such as marine, bovine and plant-based alternatives.
Among its limitations, the review could not determine whether certain forms of collagen work better than others or what the optimal regimen should be.
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While the review included randomized controlled trials, the quality of the studies varied, with newer research generally showing stronger results.
Experts say more data and studies are needed to build on the findings. They also noted that diet plays a crucial role in skin health.
Collagen supplements, often sold as powders or pills, may improve skin elasticity and ease joint pain, experts say. (iStock)
Dr. Erum Ilyas, a Pennsylvania-based dermatologist and chair of dermatology at Drexel University College of Medicine, noted that the review analyzed previously published meta-analyses rather than generating new primary data.
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“At this time, I have not seen sufficiently strong independent evidence to routinely recommend collagen supplements to my patients,” Ilyas, who was not involved in the review, told Fox News Digital.
“Although some studies show modest improvements in markers such as hydration and elasticity, there remains limited independent, biopsy-confirmed evidence demonstrating sustained increases in dermal collagen content,” she added.
Fox News Digital has reached out to the researchers for comment.
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As colorectal cancer (CRC) is now the leading cause of cancer death in adults under 50, a new report reveals some surprising shifts in the incidence of the disease.
Although rates of CRC have been declining among seniors, those 65 and under are facing a rise in diagnoses, according to a report titled Colorectal Cancer Statistics, 2026, from the American Cancer Society.
Adults 65 and younger comprise nearly half (45%) of all new colorectal cancer cases — a significant increase from 27% in 1995, states the report, which was published in CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians.
The disease is rising fastest among adults 20 to 49 years old, at a rate of 3% per year.
Colorectal cancer is now the leading cause of cancer death in adults under 50. (iStock)
Among adults 50 and under, 75% of colorectal cancers are diagnosed at an advanced stage. Half of the diagnoses in that age range are made between the ages of 45 and 49. Although that age group is eligible to receive routine screenings, just 37% do so.
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The report also revealed that rectal cancer is on the rise, now accounting for about one-third (32%) of all CRC cases — an increase from 27% in the mid-2000s.
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“After decades of progress, the risk of dying from colorectal cancer is climbing in younger generations of men and women, confirming a real uptick in disease because of something we’re doing or some other exposure,” said Rebecca Siegel, senior scientific director, surveillance research at the American Cancer Society and lead author of the report, in a press release.
Among adults 50 and under, 75% of colorectal cancers are diagnosed at an advanced stage. Half of the diagnoses in that age range are made between the ages of 45 and 49. (iStock)
“We need to redouble research efforts to understand the cause, but also circumvent deaths through earlier detection by educating clinicians and the general public about symptoms and increasing screening in people 45-54 years.”
It is projected that 158,850 new cases of colorectal cancer will be diagnosed this year, and that the disease will cause 55,230 deaths, per the report.
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More than half of CRC cases can be linked to high-risk behaviors, the researchers said. Those include lack of nutrition, high alcohol consumption, smoking, lack of exercise and obesity.
“These findings further underscore that colorectal cancer is worsening among younger generations and highlight the immediate need for eligible adults to begin screening at the recommended age of 45,” said Dr. William Dahut, chief scientific officer at the American Cancer Society.
When the disease is caught at a local (early) stage, the five-year survival rate is 95%. (iStock)
“The report also shines a light on the crucial importance of continued funding for research to help discover new therapies to treat the disease and advance patient care.”
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When the disease is caught at a local (early) stage, the five-year survival rate is 95%, the report stated.
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A new study suggests that middle-aged men may be more vulnerable to faster biological aging, potentially linked to exposure to “forever chemicals.”
The research, published in the journal Frontiers in Aging, examined how perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, more commonly known as PFAS, could impact aging at the cellular level.
PFAS are synthetic chemicals commonly used in nonstick cookware, food packaging, water-resistant fabrics and other consumer products, the study noted.
Their chemical structure makes them highly resistant to breaking down, allowing them to accumulate in water, soil and the human body.
Chinese researchers analyzed blood samples from 326 adults enrolled in the U.S. National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey between 1999 and 2000.
A new study suggests that middle-aged men could face accelerated biological aging at the cellular level due to exposure to PFAS. (iStock)
The researchers measured levels of 11 PFAS compounds in participants’ blood and used DNA-based “epigenetic clocks” — tools that analyze chemical changes to DNA to estimate biological age — to determine how quickly their bodies were aging at the cellular level, the study stated.
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Two compounds, perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA) and perfluorooctanesulfonamide (PFOSA), were detected in 95% of participants.
Higher concentrations of those chemicals were associated with faster biological aging in men of certain age groups, but not in women.
“People should not panic.”
The compounds most strongly linked to accelerated aging were not the PFAS chemicals that typically receive the most public attention, the researchers noted.
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“The associations were strongest in adults aged 50 to 64, particularly in men,” Dr. Xiangwei Li, professor at Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine and the study’s corresponding author, told Fox News Digital.
“While this does not establish that PFAS cause aging, it suggests that these widely present ‘forever chemicals’ may be linked to molecular changes related to long-term health and aging.”
The study found that two of the compounds were detected in 95% of participants, and higher levels were linked to faster biological aging in men ages 50–64. (iStock)
Midlife may represent a more sensitive biological period, when the body becomes more vulnerable to age-related stressors, according to the researchers.
Lifestyle factors, such as smoking, may influence biological aging markers, potentially increasing vulnerability to environmental pollutants.
While Li said “people should not panic,” she does recommend looking for reasonable ways to reduce exposure.
That might mean checking local drinking water reports, using certified water filters designed to reduce PFAS, and limiting the use of stain- or grease-resistant products when alternatives are available.
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Meaningful reductions in PFAS exposure will likely depend on broader regulatory action and environmental cleanup efforts, Li added.
The researchers noted that midlife could be a particularly sensitive stage, when the body is more susceptible to stressors associated with aging. (iStock)
Study limitations
The researchers outlined several important limitations of the research, including that the findings show an association, but do not prove that PFAS directly causes accelerated aging.
“The study is cross-sectional, meaning exposure and aging markers were measured at the same time, so we cannot determine causality,” Li told Fox News Digital.
The study was also relatively small, limited to 326 adults age 50 or older, which means the findings may not apply to younger people or broader populations.
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Researchers measured PFAS levels using data collected between 1999 and 2000, and today’s exposure patterns may differ.
Li added that while PFAS is known to persist in the environment and the body, these results should be validated through larger, more recent studies that follow participants over time.
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