My Double Cancer Diagnosis: Rare Mouth Cancer & Breast Cancer | Sarah's Story | The Patient Story

Sarah McDonald was diagnosed with an incurable cancer in her mouth and a second unrelated cancer in her breast two months later. Sarah noticed a lump in the floor of her mouth after a deep teeth cleaning. Initially, the specialist thought it could be an infection, but further tests revealed it was a rare form of cancer.
After her second diagnosis, Sarah became more open and public about her diagnoses. She now urges people to advocate for their health and to speak up, even when others question or doubt them.
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[@suewinter3693]

This lady is such a ray of sunshine! Her husband is so blessed.

[@nuns8126]

I have been a head & neck cancer patient since 2000. I had it three times. Now I am having a biopsy again next week. That will be the 4th time. Last time I also went to the comprehensive cancer center at Stanford. I am in San Jose. I appreciate your Presentation here.

[@Mimi-fe2gm]

Hope your biopsy outcome is favorable to you ❤

[@Chacho-i5y]

Did it start with leukoplakia??

[@55camille]

Your story is my story. After 15 months everyone (about 11 medical practioners, specialists, dentists, audiologists and a chiropractor) except my chiropractor told me it wasn’t cancer, it was tonsil stones, TMJ, tension headaches, throat infection, but definitely not cancer. Ongoing symptoms were all in my head. Finally I insisted on imaging and the radiologist diagnosed probable cancer and URGENT attention. Suddenly the previous long-delays appointments became next 24-48 hour appointments. It had to be my decision to put all that cr*p behind me and get on with getting well. If it wasn’t for having to put all my energy isn’t required to getting healthy, I would be really angry and try to do something about the health system. Thank you for being that person.

[@lisaanderson7322]

What a beautiful soul, inside and out. A great story teller, I could listen to her all day. Very well spoken. She should do a TED talk about her experience. Blessings to you for good health and full recovery!

[@Bujji0423]

Totally agree

[@debbieschultz106]

Sarah, you're beyond amazing. You have helped so many people by sharing your story. You are a unique person, and I would love to see you in 10 years still talking about how you beat both cancers. I love you, and you will be in my thoughts and prayers. This really touched me.

[@dianeperez3188]

OMG, that’s my biggest fear. I had a bilateral mastectomy 7 months ago because of breast cancer and I’m BRCcA 2 positive. I also wanted a CT scan from my neck to pelvis on my suggestion. You have to be your own advocate, it was great you pushed it good for you ❤

[@Selfullme]

I had double diagnosis too. Rare cancer in my voicebox and breast cancer one month apart. I had many of the same emotions you describe from shame to acceptance. I am still going through this. I wish you well on your journey.

[@jenniferhuff2566]

Thank you for sharing your story. It still amazes me how often woman hear they are over reacting! I.

[@krismay6]

Sarah - thank you for showing how important being your own advocate can/did save your life. Thank you for your strength in sharing why it is so important to ask and to fully understand - never giving up until you know what is happening. Thank you for saving others lives, also. I am sure we have all learned from you. Take good care and be well. ❤

[@130crowd]

Your thoughtfulness feeds your eloquence in the biggest challenge we can face. You are so right: a FULL VOICE, not a whisper. Thank you, Sarah

[@deborahmeyers551]

Sarah's attitude is amaizing truely awsome ❤

[@ahava3838]

Yay! Stephanie is facilitating the interview! 😃👍

[@theresa94010]

I much prefer this format also. She gets to the key points guiding the story.

[@elizabethconroy7665]

Hello,Sarah Really nice to meet you Lovely,positive Lady Please accept warm Hugs from Amman Jordan 🇯🇴

[@sallymccoy6286]

You give cancer patients hope with a smile. Bless you!

[@jerseygirl6155]

thank you for sharing your story-it is so disturbing when we bring concerns to our doctors and they dismiss you as a hypochondriac. I have a family member who clearly has something going on but due to his young age, he is constantly dismissed-it is also distressful to see specialists offering consults months after the initial call for an appointment-

[@kevinr23]

Same thing. Cancer Diagnosis in January and unrelated in March. I thought I was the only one.

[@xraylife]

Very likely they are related to this 💉

[@Chacho-i5y]

What happened next

[@jennyd6185]

Fabulous story! You’re very articulate! Thank you 🙏 for sharing your story! I just finished frontline chemotherapy for 2B ovarian cancer. My sister was recently diagnosed with tongue cancer & trying to learn.

[@Darkempress45]

This is why we need to understand that doctors PRACTICE medicine. They don’t know everything and they aren’t smarter than you in terms of knowing your own body! Advocate, ADVOCATE, ADVOCATE for yourself!

[@theresa94010]

100% true. Doctors' diagnosis are basically guesses only, sometime not even their best guesses. Do our own research and question, question, question our doctors rather than just accept what they say or recommend.

[@amymac41890]

GREAT point!!!!!!

[@KB-ql8cx]

@@theresa94010they are not “only guesses”. Their opinion is based on science, but that doesn’t mean they are always right and that doesn’t mean every doctor is good. Absolutely you should absolutely advocate for yourself

[@55camille]

It took 15 months of ‘advocating to ten different professionals until I insisted on a CT. Even then he said I was wrong and needed an MRI which finally showed a tumour and of course by then it had metatisised.

[@talesfromtheleashexpatdogl1426]

Practicing and VERY motivated by greed and not patient wellbeing.

[@wandashields6764]

Thank you Sarah your story makes me feel stronger, I am a breast cancer survivor twice. You give me inspiration.

[@clairebeever3038]

Sending love same here second Brest cancer journey a different type this time … I hope your doing well

[@rebeccakarlsson1395]

Thanks so much for your story Sarah. Every word you’ve said here rings true with me. I can’t believe how alike we are in our cancer experiences, from a mental standpoint at least. Thank you for validating my feelings, and those of countless others going through something similar. Congratulations on your 10 years! I have this feeling that if anyone can be cured it will be someone like you who is smart and tough and knows how to protect herself! Wishing us both long, happy disease free lives❤

[@susanmagalas3074]

Thank You for sharing your story. I agree wholeheartedly that we need to talk about it. I think someone going through treatment has a lot of things they would like to talk about - like mortality - but their family and often their friends are too devastated to want to discuss it. I had a friend living with cancer and her family kept glossing over the things she wanted to discuss. Since I had also had cancer we spent a lot of time talking about it - talking about treatments - talking about impact on our future lives/families and of course talking about mortality. She has since passed away but I often think about her and I am so glad I could provide a safe place to let her get it all said!

[@laniesider2586]

Sarah is so inspirational, her strength is amazing! I pray you will recover and live a full life. Wishing you the best!

[@TamaraEnglish-u6x]

As a fellow warrior, I am so angry that your questions were brushed away. I too went through a touch of that as well. I finally got angry and yelled at my oncologist. He talked to my husband about things but not to me and I was the one he was supposed to be treating.

[@maryreyes368]

Right on point in advocating for your diagnosis in every cranny. Don’t wait.

[@PianoMan-hx3ev]

Your willpower is PROFOUND. You are a true inspiration for all of us. 💯

[@GSPDUKE]

Lovely Lady and may my God Bless You and All that you Love.

[@lholder1104]

I relate to so many things Sarah shared - wanting to project manage it, feeling in constant fight or flight, etc.

[@shakirajohnson369]

I was very intrigued when I saw the title of this video. Sarah is quite the inspiration. My dad died of myo epithelial carcinoma in 2020. It is a rare salivary gland cancer as well. I am not sure if it is the same one that Sarah had.

[@amycanas5873]

Oh my gosh, listening to you has helped me give a voice to my experience!! At least I can start- Sarah's story is alot like mine and she is able to express it so well. All I can say is please tell Sarah Thank You

[@sherrykelley741]

Amazing piece. So informative. This lady is so resilient. Such a good speaker too. She should do a TED talk. Bless her, so brave. The very best to her and husband❤

[@borountree4539]

Perhaps the missed breast cancer diagnosis was a blessing in disguise as the double treatment supercharged the effect and could be the reason for a better outcome for the salivary cancer.

[@vickyswift-zd8ol]

This is my 3rd time with oral cancer, fighting it to this day. Please take oral care seriously

[@fernemcallister6774]

Infuriating that concerns are brushed off.

[@naznow]

Our healthcare system is trash. It’s broken. It’s big business and very little about health. It’s sick care. I’m sorry you weren’t treated properly but happy for you that you survived this and here you are now helping others.

[@elindia5928]

You are an amazing human being, thank you for sharing, it is very helpful to so many of us. ❤

[@DMHCre8]

It's amazing to me how often women are told by their doctors they are some kind of crazy for expressing a health concern, only to later find out they have cancer. 🤨

[@anurseinthekitchen6442]

That makes me so mad 😡

[@collettebrynes1075]

Absolutely you are 100% correct fight for yourself no one cares about your health more than you fair play to you for fighting for yourself wish you the very best 💖🙏💖

[@daphnekivinen9482]

I can't believe she had to go through all this waiting and wondering. Doctors don't realize we as human beings know our body. You are a very strong woman. Thank you for speaking out!

[@marilynwilson618]

Bless your heart, you have really been through it.i am so sorry this has been such a rough journey.tu for sharing your story with us.i had early breast cancer a few yr back.had lumpectomy and radiation to. The Lord is charge!!! Praying for you❤❤❤

[@ThePatientStory]

We’d love to hear from you: what was the biggest lesson you learned in your own cancer diagnosis? Leave us a comment below 👇 Would you like to share your story? Fill out this intro survey 👉www.thepatientstory.com/share-your-story/

[@danielanderson204]

I wish I could be brave enough to share my story and someday I hope to do just that! Thank you Very Much for this KZbin page that I stumbled across a week ago and I have watched numerous stories so far that gives me more Hope than I had Before!!! Breast cancer Thriver since 1-2-19 Beverly (on my husband's YT account)

[@danielanderson204]

Forgot to mention the Biggest lesson I learned is Lifestyle changes like a better plant based diet, exercise, Prayers, meditation, and like Sarah mentioned doing things I've never done before as in hobbies and traveling. Beverly

[@mnmdisney]

I'm being medical gaslighted currently, & it's insane.

[@followingbluebird]

What a wonderful human ❤️

[@ggunga7764]

Ur an inspiration

[@Home-e1v1h]

Did you think of the afterlife and where you would go?

[@danielanderson204]

At 22:58 minutes in she state's Exactly how I feel... Death of a Dream - Death of what you believe the future is going to be I have felt like this 4.5 yrs after my dx of Stage2B IDC breast cancer, but I'm working on getting past that as well and will hopefully have a Brighter outlook for the future Soon! Thanks for a great interview!!! Beverly Anderson

[@shobeyl]

Thank you for the best insight about it. Godbless

[@lmccauley7319]

Brave woman.

[@MH_Prof]

A dear friend valiantly fought parotid gland cancer for 9 years. I will always admire the way she went through. What a fighter!🥊

[@rosanneshinkle4133]

My sister died from parotid gland cancer. It was very aggressive, she lasted less than 2 years even with surgery, chemo, and radiation.

[@MH_Prof]

@@rosanneshinkle4133 I am so sorry for your loss.

[@rosanneshinkle4133]

@@MH_Prof Thank-you. She was 5 years younger than me.

[@davisholman8149]

@@rosanneshinkle4133. My sister is five years younger than me also. I can’t imagine how hard losing her must be. Bless you, friend.🙏🏼

[@brendawiener]

I too have Adenoid cystic carcinoma.

[@yomama8873]

Thank you 🤩🤩🤩💖💖

[@rsundar1973]

What a trooper!!!!

[@Ceerads]

I’m assuming you had ACC (Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma). I’m a long-time breast cancer survivor and not any kind of medical professional, but I’ve read about ACC because rare cancers interest me, especially head and neck cancers. So good that you’re doing well!

[@lynnbean7200]

I'm no expert but wouldn't ACC be cancer in the adenoids not the salivary gland?

[@Ceerads]

@@lynnbean7200 Here’s Google: “ACC primarily occurs in the major and minor salivary glands; however, it is found in other sites of the head and neck, breast, female genital tract, prostate and skin.”

[@Ceerads]

@@lynnbean7200Thank you. Here’s Google’s answer: “Yes, adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) is a rare type of cancer that can form in the salivary glands in the neck, mouth, or throat. It's also known to develop in other glandular tissues, such as those in the head and neck, tear glands, or sweat glands.”

[@jeanne_margaret]

Unbelievable 😮

[@petriciahice4838]

Good grief I have zero faith in our medical system. So disappointed

[@alrahbimom]

I have multiple myeloma for a year. It’s a rare form and hard for doctors to diagnose. I moved to be closer to family to a smaller town that does. It have specialist. I don’t have good insurance too. This month I had lumps at the bottom of my mouth palate. I have stones in my Saliva glands. I’m worried about cancer n my mouth. I just wish I could have better insurance. It’s not fare how this system is arranged . Good luck

[@jillian4292]

@alrahbimom I am so sorry that you are going through this.❤

[@Hbd2002]

I wonder how many people go undiagnosed because the doctors tell them it’s nothing

[@nancybee250]

My 28 year old daughter had 3 breast ultrasounds,2 mammogram s and 3 surgical visits over 18 months for a breast lump and swollen lymph nodes. The surgeon said she was anxious over nothing and didn't need a biopsy. Her tumor nearly tripled in size before she was finally given a biopsy and diagnosed with breast cancer. And yes both radiologist s and surgeon that she saw are still practising

[@lisafrost9237]

You listen to your inner voice and be persistent! I'm a oral cancer survivor of 16 years and I wouldn't be here if I listened an gave up. Leuoplakia is a sign that cells are abnormal that is time to persist and be tenacious! God bless this lovely lady - attitude helps healing!

[@Sarahbee-o8t]

Doctors ignore me . I went to the ER because I had been sick for about 3 weeks and I have copd . He pretty much laughed at me and I know he thought I was there for pain pills. I have never took a pain pill in my life!

[@JessNSylvieG]

What was going on that you decided to go to the ED?

[@ahava3838]

So, what were the fields of specialty of the various doctors that she saw? She just kept saying "specialist".

[@nuns8126]

Dentist Oral surgeon ENT Dr. Oncologist

[@feliciamarte3031]

Amen, I've been dealing with All kinds of Dr I was told so many different things even was cursed out by a Dr for 20yrs Now I have several fatal health issues death is just the same has Life or living they both have equal rights Just Love hard and live harder God bless All❤️🌈❤️

[@unknowndriver6652]

How she got cured ?

[@heiders8488]

My husband was diagnosed with parotid gland cancer in 2007

[@jennyrose2200]

So typical of how women are treated by doctors in general. We really have to advocate for tests and treatments.

[@Creative-Chaos]

Death of a dream. That is a great description. I’m a cancer survivor as well. Death of a dream for me relates to a physical injury, not the cancer.

[@kathleenbrown6734]

THAT is horrible what care you had! I would be furious. You are so happy and,cheerful on this video. Great personality! Glad you did your own advocating. Its just not the same world as it was years ago. So much disease and overworked doctors.

[@kathleenbrown6734]

so your cancer free now and doing great. Clean for good or waiting it out. I had a recent test mammogram and they were get in here now! well I went back through all my previous scans and it was there in 2008 on and declared nothing. So I had to do their job and told them check it,out and it is nothing but dense tissue which is common and sometimes affects the nipple but rarely ever cancer. It has not changed at all. My mom had it so I have always been high risk so I spent my life not doing anything that put me at risk like in my 20’s not using the commercial deodorants and never ever use products aimed at blocking the release of toxins from the body. So far so good. I am 76. I analyzed the situation of the American women and took precautions. Made my own deodorant etc and stayed healthy. My moms was horrific but not fatal. They mutilated her. It was horrible. I wish you the best and glad your ok, I must have missed the result or you did not say. I wish you good health, Keep that happy smile!!

[@Hbd2002]

I wonder why they couldn’t just reduce the dosage or time that you did the radiation if the chemo intensify the effects anyway

[@John-xp8fc]

P aud' arco is amazing

[@Madhu7-f5q]

I would love to share my experience with you.. tongue cancer with more than 1/2 my tongue removed

[@MilesEderson-qz7hv]

Thank you Dr Obaz on KZbin for being the dedicated, thoughtful, and compassionate doctor that you are! You always go above and beyond and work tirelessly towards a healthy outcome. I feel so blessed to know you and have you as my doctor❤❤❤❤❤

[@michellemcneill5313]

❤️

[@maggiemmoore]

Why didn't dentist see it?

[@Gabri.D.Simon73]

❤

[@claudiaarjangi4914]

🙏 It is So important ( for a doctors education ) to go back to those non-listening non-believing doctors etc, in person.. 🤔 Most of them wouldnt ever see the patients they misdiagnose or disbelieved.. Meaning they dont get physical evidence (not just stats ) that they are missing / ignoring patients & their important symptoms, to their patients ( and their own reputations ) detriment.. 🙏 For all their next patients sake, please make that ( satisfying 😋) visit.. 😁☮️🌏

[@ellenherman9543]

You had it after a cleaning ? Fishy!

[@libfloyd4432]

cool lady. :)

[@garysharp8871]

Unfortunately cancer will be the number one cause of death by the year 2030 followed by stroke and heart related illnesses like heart disease. I have my own opinions about Radiaton and chemo treatments but I will save that topic for another day

[@anurseinthekitchen6442]

This is scary...why do we need them then...😡

[@jodeeblue9663]

❤❤❤🙏🙏🙏

[@karenkalasy8251]

Medical gaslighting.

[@bobsilver3983]

Pfizered???

[@viorelscrob6391]

My mom has ovarian cancer. ..

[@Questioneverything8888]

You’re so beautiful Hope it all works out well for you I’m astonished to see the amount of people with rare and aggressive cancers this last 12 months Unfortunately this is another side effect of the jab So sad

[@KaraLey98]

This was way too long especially at the end. So much repetition..

[@amosemenike9642]

God bless Dr.Igudia on KZbin, all my life will keep thanking you for the great help and for your product which actually works in eradicating genital herpes virus out of my body system.

[@amosemenike9642]

God bless Dr.Igudia on KZbin, all my life will keep thanking you for the great help and for your product which actually works in eradicating Herpes simplex virus out of my body system

[@karenblackerby8704]

You have my maximum respect Dr Igudia, I am now negative from Herpes simplex virus after I did the test, I wonder what might have become of me it I didn't get the herbal cure From your KZbin channel. God bless you sir.

[@JephthahIsiramen-dw3pe]

I thank God I came across Dr Obaz KZbin channel. I was able to conquer this infection with medication from him, thanks for giving me hope to live again….

[@karenblackerby8704]

You have my maximum respect Dr Igudia, I am now negative from Herpes after I did the test, I wonder what might have become of me it I didn't get the herbal cure From your KZbin channel. God bless you sir

[@Ceerads]

Stop the bullshit here. These accolades are irrelevant to this site.

[@AbdulsalamYusufonimasa-ns5og]

Words cannot express how grateful I am to Dr Obaz on KZbin, indeed you’re an amazing, compassionate and brilliant doctor, I admire you for your commitment and sincerity and thanks for being the best doctor for me🚨🚨🚨🚨

[@JephthahIsiramen-dw3pe]

I thank God I came across Dr Obaz KZbin channel. I was able to conquer this infection with medication from him, thanks for giving me hope to live again….

[@AbdulsalamYusufonimasa-ns5og]

Words cannot express how grateful I am to Dr Obaz on KZbin, indeed you’re an amazing, compassionate and brilliant doctor, I admire you for your commitment and sincerity and thanks for being the best doctor for me🚨🚨🚨🚨