Marissa Abella’s diagnosis with thyroid cancer at age 23 changed her life forever

Hearing that you have cancer is life-changing at any age. But knowing that you were diagnosed at the age of 23 is especially surprising. This is what happened to Marissa Abella after she had a scan for what she assumed it was Covid symptoms In 2020.

Abella reportedly made a doctor’s appointment due to cognitive difficulties and general fatigue, which she linked to the new virus. After being examined, she was told that she actually had cancer of the thyroid, a gland located at the bottom of the throat that is often described as being shaped like a butterfly. The thyroid gland controls multiple processes, including how food is metabolized and how the body develops.

When cancer affects the thyroid, patients usually report clear symptoms, although they are not necessarily the ones that prompted Abela to seek medical care. More common Symptoms of thyroid disorders Such as cancer include lumps in the throat, voice changes, discomfort in the neck or throat, and difficulty swallowing (via Mayo Clinic).

According to American Cancer SocietyAbout 45,000 cases of thyroid cancer occur annually in the United States. Receiving a thyroid cancer diagnosis as a younger adult is not entirely unusual, although Abella was younger than most, with the average thyroid cancer patient being 51 years old.

Treatment protocols for thyroid cancer can vary, although surgery is often the procedure of choice to remove all signs of cancer. In Abella’s case, a complete thyroidectomy was necessary, as well as the removal of 19 nearby lymph nodes. After the procedure, she underwent radioactive iodine to remove any possible remaining traces of cancer. (Sarah Huckabee also underwent a successful medical operation for thyroid cancer.)

The surgical procedure Abella chose is standard but may come with potential side effects, including a persistent hoarse voice. The actress admitted that one of her biggest fears is that she may never be able to speak again, which will affect her career. As she pointed out while she was there How to fail with Elizabeth Day“(A)Will I ever be able to talk again? That was the scariest thing, because you had to go through a lot of nerves to get to the thyroid.” “I remember when I woke up, the first thing I did was I just wanted to make sure I could talk,” she added.

Head and neck surgeon Dr. Lisa Orloff agrees that thyroid cancer surgery requires a high degree of expertise because of the close proximity of the thyroid to the vocal cords. As Dr. Orlov said SurvivorNet“The surgery itself is complex and delicate, but it is also a surgery that most people recover from very quickly.” She adds that most people with vocal cord disorders have only temporary problems.

Fortunately, Abella’s fears did not come true. However, she is left with more than just a visible scar on her neck to remind her of her brush with the serious condition – she must also take medications daily to replicate the normal functions of her thyroid.

With accurate diagnosis and prompt treatment, thyroid cancer can be cured in up to 99% of cases depending on the type and stage of cancer when diagnosed. Abella appears to have enjoyed a positive outcome: in 2026, she said The times It is “now clear,” indicating that her cancer is still in remission.