Compassionate Care Helps Silvia Iraheta Overcome Cervical Cancer

We all know how important it is to have a support network when disaster hits. It’s true for wildfires, floods and also medical emergencies, which was what Silvia Iraheta, 48, an Allentown resident, found herself facing last fall.

She was fortunate that her 19-year-old daughter, Carolina Joya, was able and willing to stay by her side and provide much-needed language assistance since Iraheta doesn’t speak English. Another positive aspect is that she is here in the Lehigh Valley, close to all the expertise and quality care inherent in Lehigh Valley Topper Cancer Institute.

Iraheta had a history of heavy menstrual periods, but for several months in 2024, the volume was uncontrollable. She also had pain in her pelvis. A couple trips to the emergency room, along with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography (CT) scans, revealed a 6-centimeter mass growing on her cervix and into her vagina. She was put in the care of M. Bijoy Thomas, MD, Chief, Division of Gynecologic Oncology with Lehigh Valley Topper Cancer Institute, who made the diagnosis of stage 2 cervical cancer.

“We conducted a positron emission tomography (PET) scan, which showed the cancer was mainly confined to her pelvis,” Dr. Thomas says. He explains that a PET scan is an imaging test that shows the biochemical function of tissues and organs. Cancer cells appear as bright spots on PET scans because they have a higher metabolic rate than do typical cells. “There were no signs that the cancer had spread.”

Initially, the Iraheta family was devastated by their mother’s diagnosis. Joya was especially confused. “I didn’t take it well,” she says. “I was desperate to figure it all out, and it took about two weeks for me to feel better. I knew I had to step up and be a caretaker for my mom. I temporarily left my job so I could make sure she ate well and got where she needed to go.”

Treatment of stage 2 (advanced) cervical cancer is radiation along with chemotherapy, so Iraheta began receiving externally delivered radiation therapy, Monday through Friday for five weeks. She had a good response to the radiation treatment, so the last four treatments were given internally. Chemotherapy was given once a week for six weeks.

“If there is any cancer remaining after radiation therapy, then hysterectomy is considered,” says radiation oncologist Alyson McIntosh, MD, with the Cancer Institute. Fortunately, in Iraheta’s case, there was no cancer remaining after completion of radiation treatment.

“Treatment planning for radiation has become so sophisticated over the last few years that we can provide more accurate curative treatments with less side effects,” Dr. McIntosh says. “We are grateful that at our Cancer Institute we have the technology and experience to provide high-quality treatment for cervical cancer patients like Silvia.”

Both doctors note that Iraheta was very compliant with care and had a wonderful social support (her daughter) who was always with her and helped navigate the language barrier. The clinicians say that a big challenge in treatment is compliance with daily radiation treatment for the entire four to five weeks. Iraheta was more than willing to comply because she was determined to get back to life as she knew it before being diagnosed. 

Iraheta says everything changed when she began her care and treatment at LVHN. “I felt very comfortable and safe at the hospital,” she says. “Everyone was so supportive and sweet to me.”

At Iraheta’s last checkup in January, there was no cancer noted on her exam. Her clinicians report that they will continue follow-up with her every three months for two years, and then every six months for an additional three years. In the meantime, Iraheta has a new outlook.

“I am very encouraged. I want to do some traveling and just enjoy my life more,” she says. “You really never know what to expect. You have to put your trust in the Lord for what comes next.”