Published: December 12, 2025 | Updated: January 5, 2026
Estimated reading time: 9 minutes
Cathy Hinko noticed something wasn’t right, but she did what so many people do: She waited. Her next annual gynecology appointment was just a month away. Surely it could wait until then.She waited, and would learn that she shouldn’t have. After that appointment in 2009, Cathy received a diagnosis she was dreading: vulvar cancer. She’s sharing her story because she knows gynecologic cancers can be difficult for many people to discuss.“When I was growing up, cancer meant death,” Cathy said. “As I’ve gotten older, I know it means, ‘What are we going to do?’ Because today, we have a great chance of managing or defeating it.”Cathy knew her only option was to start fighting this disease. She didn’t know her battle would last for so many years.
Cathy started with an aggressive treatment plan involving two types of chemotherapy combined with radiation therapy. She faced her diagnosis head-on and with bravery.“I was going to defeat it. I was going to get better. That was my attitude,” she said.
For 10 years, Cathy was cancer-free. She remained committed to staying healthy and returning to every follow-up appointment with Lynn P. Parker, M.D., gynecologic oncologist at Norton Cancer Institute Women’s Cancer Center.Then, another lesion returned in 2021, followed by another surgery. When more lesions returned two years later, Cathy faced increasingly difficult decisions.
“The cancer kept coming back, and I kept getting surgeries to remove it. I had radiation twice, and we had tried everything,” Cathy said. “So, ultimately, we decided to remove all the skin that could get cancer altogether.”Cathy’s care team, led by Carl L. Christie, D.O., gynecologic oncologist at Norton Cancer Institute Women’s Cancer Center, recommended a full vulvar resection surgery, which required removing all affected tissue and reconstructive work using skin from the inner thighs.According to Cathy, through every procedure and uncertain moment, Dr. Christie’s care was always compassionate and thorough.
“Dr. Christie made sure I had access to whomever I needed, like emotional support or the best plastic surgeon,” Cathy said. “Everyone was wonderful. I had so much faith in them.”
Norton Cancer Institute’s collaborative care model involves dedicated teamwork inside the gynecologic oncology tumor board, which worked on Cathy’s case with multiple areas of expertise.
“At Norton Cancer Institute, we serve our patients best when we gather together as a team,” Dr. Christie said. “Our tumor board puts together a comprehensive plan that enables us to take excellent care of our patients.”The multidisciplinary team includes gynecologic oncologists, pathologists, radiation oncologists, radiologists, social workers, a physiatrist (physical medicine and rehabilitation specialist), genetic counselors, patient navigators and Norton Cancer Institute research staff, who determine whether a patient is eligible for clinical trials. The care also includes access to Norton Cancer Institute Resource Centers that can help connect patients with available resources and coordinate visits to overcome barriers to care. This holistic approach is important, because it takes a full team to give comprehensive care, covering all aspects of a person’s day-to-day life to create a scenario for exceptional cancer care. Cathy’s health care support extended beyond her hospital and clinic visits. She had follow-ups from behavioral health and social workers, and from a patient navigator, who all checked in on her well-being and every aspect of her care.
According to Dr. Christie, Cathy’s cancer developed due to multiple factors, including lichen sclerosus, an autoimmune condition affecting the vulva. Chronic inflammation from lichen sclerosus over time can lead to skin changes, resulting in a precancerous condition called vulvar dysplasia, which may progress to vulvar carcinoma. This was the mechanism behind Cathy’s cancer. Another common cause of vulvar carcinoma is human papillomavirus (HPV), which can be prevented through early vaccination. While HPV was not the primary cause in Cathy’s case, it is a significant factor in many women developing dysplasia and vulvar carcinoma. HPV is also linked to cancers of the vagina, cervix, oropharynx (throat), anus and penis.
Women should consult an OB/GYN if they notice persistent itching or lesions on the vulva lasting more than two weeks. Other symptoms of gynecologic cancers include: Vulva/vagina-specific symptoms:
Uterus/cervix/fallopian tubes-specific symptoms:
Common symptoms across gynecologic organs:
Early detection allows for less invasive treatments and more options. For example, lichen sclerosus can be treated with steroid creams, while advanced conditions like vulvar carcinoma may require chemotherapy and radiation, as in Cathy’s case. Recognizing symptoms early and seeking medical evaluation significantly can improve outcomes.
After beating cancer once again, Cathy has channeled her experience into advocacy. She’s passionate about two things: the HPV vaccine and regular cancer screenings.A way that a person can protect themselves is by getting the HPV vaccine. The HPV vaccine is safe and effective in the prevention of HPV infection, which can cause precancerous lesions, genital warts and cancers.The vaccine works by stimulating the immune system to produce antibodies against the virus. It is most effective when given to someone who is young or in their adolescence, before exposure to the virus.Depending on the patient’s age, the vaccine can be given in either two or three doses:
Adults ages 27 to 45 still can benefit from the vaccine, and if you’re in that age range, you’re encouraged to have a conversation with your health care provider about it.
The effectiveness of the vaccine is significant:
HPV is a very common virus that can cause cancer later in life. About 13 million people, including teenagers, become infected with HPV each year. The available vaccine, Gardasil 9, protects against nine types of HPV, including those that cause most HPV-linked cancers.“I recommend everyone communicate to their family members, children and loved ones to get vaccinated,” Dr. Christie said. “You can be eligible from age 9 through 45. It is one of the greatest things a woman can do for themselves, their children, their sisters and their friends — encourage them to get the vaccine.”
Cathy is honest about her regret in not seeing a doctor sooner.
“Had I gone immediately [upon noticing symptoms], my course of treatment might have been different and less invasive. I have no excuse. I wasn’t young. I had health insurance, but I just felt like, ‘How do I fit that in?’” she said. “You have to act immediately. If there is something unusual, you pray that it will be nothing, but if it is something, delay is your worst enemy, and you should go immediately.”
Cancer screenings can detect some cancers, including gynecologic cancers such as cervical cancer, even before symptoms appear. Screenings, such as a Pap smear, look for precancerous cells, cancer or conditions that may increase your risk.
Talk to your provider at your annual checkup to discuss cancer screenings you may be eligible for.
Cathy advocates for women prioritizing self-care, and she wishes she had listened to her own advice sooner.“I want women to know they’re important and that they should put themselves first. And by doing that, they are putting their families first. Taking care of yourself is an incredibly important part of the way you care for your family. It’s selfless to take care of yourself.”
Cathy is thankful for a solid support system of family and friends that helped her get on the other side of her cancer battle. She now has an even deeper appreciation for her life and loved ones.
“Luck would be having the ability to have the wonderful life I have for a lot longer,” she said. “And part of it being a wonderful life is contributing and giving back.”Cathy described having a “fleet” of loving friends who always drove her to appointments, inspiring her to make a donation to the Norton Healthcare Foundation funding transportation for women with gynecologic cancers.“The services offered through Norton Cancer Institute and other cancer support providers are critical; women should not be shy about using them and asking for referrals,” Cathy said.
According to Dr. Christie, Cathy’s resilience and her tenacity are an inspiration for all patients.“If there’s one thing to take away from Cathy’s story, it is to fight. Never give up. Never lose hope,” he said. “I’ve seen her tearful, but at the end of that, she says, ‘I’m still gonna have to fight because that’s what I need to do. I have a lot of life in me.’”
Sharing Cathy’s story was made possible through the Norton Healthcare Foundation. For ways to help or to learn more, click here or call (502) 446-4483 (GIVE).