Eva, a 26-year survivor of stage 4 oral cancer, shares her story of diagnosis, treatment, and recovery. She developed a sore on her tongue, which was initially dismissed by dental professionals. For over two years, Eva’s symptoms were misdiagnosed, with treatments ranging from gels to night guards. The pain worsened, affecting her speech and eating, leading her to seek a second opinion from a renowned surgeon in New York. This resulted in a diagnosis of stage 4 squamous cell carcinoma on the lateral border of her tongue.

The subsequent treatment was radical and life-altering. Eva underwent surgery to remove a third of her tongue and 40 lymph nodes, three of which were cancerous. To reconstruct her tongue, tissue was taken from her leg and wrist. She then endured a maximum dose of targeted radiation therapy, which was excruciating, causing severe burns and blisters in her mouth and throat, making it difficult to eat, speak, or sleep.

Eva recounts a pivotal moment during her treatment when she considered giving up due to the unbearable pain. However, her radiation oncologist’s encouragement inspired her to continue. This experience drove Eva to become an advocate for oral cancer awareness. She emphasizes the importance of thorough oral cancer screenings during dental checkups, advocating for both intraoral and extraoral exams to detect the disease early.

Throughout her ordeal, Eva also reflects on the impact of her illness on her family, particularly her young children, who experienced trauma during her treatment. Despite the challenges, Eva believes her experience has given her a unique opportunity to educate others and potentially save lives. She underscores the importance of living a life of breadth rather than length, using her voice to spread awareness and ensure that others do not suffer as she did.