There are some mornings I wake up and instantly brace myself. Not because the day is heavy yet, but because I know what’s coming. I know the routine. The pain. The performance. The pressure to be “OK” when I’m anything but.
Lately, I’ve been living in a strange limbo. Physically hurting. Emotionally drained. Mentally spiraling under the weight of something I can’t ignore. My body is fighting an H. pylori bacterial infection, and my mind is overwhelmed by the terrifying thought that it may be colliding with my inherited PMS2 gene mutation.
I broke down twice this week. Not metaphorically. I mean truly broke. I cried without warning, unable to focus, unable to rest. I felt like I was suffocating under the fear that this could be more than just a bacterial infection. That this could be the start of something that activates the very genes I’ve spent years trying to stay one step ahead of.
What Is H. Pylori?
Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is a common bacterium that infects the stomach lining. For most people, it may result in ulcers or mild digestive issues. But for people like me, those with genetic mutations tied to cancer, this infection feels more like a ticking time bomb.
The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classifies H. pylori as a Group 1 carcinogen. This means there is strong evidence linking it to cancer, especially gastric cancer.
https://monographs.iarc.who.int/list-of-classifications
Understanding PMS2 and Lynch Syndrome
I carry the PMS2 gene mutation, which is associated with Lynch syndrome. This hereditary condition increases the risk of several cancers, including colorectal, ovarian, and endometrial. PMS2 is a DNA mismatch repair gene. When it mutates, that repair function fails, allowing dangerous genetic changes to go uncorrected.
The National Cancer Institute explains Lynch syndrome in detail here:
https://www.cancer.gov/publications/dictionaries/cancer-terms/def/lynch-syndrome
Both of my daughters carry these mutations. I live with the emotional burden of wondering if they’ll have to fight this battle too.
Is There a Link?
A study published in the Gut Journal (BMJ) found that H. pylori infection can impair DNA repair mechanisms. This adds to a growing body of evidence suggesting infections like H. pylori may increase cancer risk in people with inherited gene mutations.
https://gut.bmj.com/content/69/9/1582
So when I say I’m scared, it isn’t paranoia. It’s personal. It’s data. It’s lived experience.
The Performance of “Wellness”
The hardest part isn’t the diagnosis. It’s the expectation that follows it.
After surviving cancer, you’re expected to smile again. To show up to work. To keep up with doctor’s appointments, parenting, emails, and advocacy. You speak on panels. You testify for legislation. You launch healing programs to help others survive too.
But behind that polished presence is a woman who sometimes can’t sleep. A woman doubled over in pain. A woman who stares at her reflection wondering if the cancer will return or if it ever really left.
This cycle of constant vigilance, of always having to prove you’re well, is emotionally draining. It chips away at your mental health and leaves you questioning if you’re doing enough to stay alive, even when you’ve already done everything you can.
Mental Health Is Health
Let me be honest. I am not always strong. And that doesn’t make me weak. It makes me real.
I believe in transparency because it might save someone else. I believe in vulnerability because I know too many people are pretending to be OK while silently breaking. Our healing journeys should not require silence. They should invite community.
This is why I created The Advocate’s Table. Not just as a platform, but as a call to action. A space where real stories meet real solutions. A place that invites you to show up, not because you’re whole, but because you matter.
Why Reach Out to The Advocate’s Table
The Advocate’s Table centers equity, emotional truth, and strategic action. We are here to help shift healthcare systems, empower survivors, and create safe, impactful spaces for healing and change. Whether you’re an individual, a healthcare institution, or part of a larger network, you can connect with us to:
- Sit on a panel and share lived or professional expertise
- Book Shanise Pearce as a speaker for your next event, summit, or town hall
- Hire her as an emcee to bring connection and storytelling to advocacy events
- Schedule a consultation on patient experience, brand reputation, or community engagement
- Run an ad on our website to connect your mission with our health equity audience
- Collaborate on research, events, or healing initiatives
- Submit media or press inquiries for interviews or speaking engagements
- Partner in policy advocacy focused on early detection and equitable care
- Explore affiliation opportunities aligned with our mission
To get in touch, visit www.theadvocatestable.org or email info@theadvocatestable.org.
Sources
- International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) – List of carcinogenic classifications
https://monographs.iarc.who.int/list-of-classifications - National Cancer Institute – Definition of Lynch Syndrome
https://www.cancer.gov/publications/dictionaries/cancer-terms/def/lynch-syndrome - Gut Journal (BMJ) – H. pylori effects on tumor suppression
https://gut.bmj.com/content/69/9/1582
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