The news overwhelmed Ciarra. But her determination never wavered. She navigated her treatment for dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans, which primarily involved surgery to achieve clear margins, without hair loss or other hallmarks many associate with cancer. This led to feelings of impostor syndrome — wondering if her experience “counted” as cancer. But as she reflects, cancer doesn’t have a singular face or story, especially a rare skin cancer like hers.

Mental health played a crucial role in Ciarra’s healing process. Despite working in the field, she admits that coping wasn’t easy. She leaned heavily on her support system, finding comfort in family, friends, and even an online community of others living with rare skin cancer. Small joys, like laughter with her aunt or cuddles from her dog, became powerful reminders of resilience.

Ciarra’s story is a testament to the power of self-advocacy. She emphasizes the importance of trusting your body, pushing for answers, and not feeling guilty for being persistent. Her advice? Take things one day at a time, cherish small victories, and don’t hesitate to seek support. Because in the end, what truly matters is showing up for yourself, no matter what.

Watch Ciarra’s video for more on:

• How a small lump turned into a life-changing discovery.
• How Ciarra’s mental health background helped (and sometimes didn’t) in facing rare skin cancer.
• The diagnosis no one expected: what her rare skin cancer taught her about self-advocacy.
• Feeling dismissed by doctors? Ciarra’s experience proves why trusting your gut is vital.
• From fear to empowerment: her candid take on living with rare skin cancer.