** University Student Survives Rare Pancreatic Cancer After Emergency Room Visit **
** Toni Bravo, a 21-year-old senior at the University of Notre Dame, experienced anxiety that led to a life-saving diagnosis of pancreatic cancer. Initially seeking help for heightened anxiety two weeks before finals in December 2023, Bravo was diagnosed with a rare pancreatic tumor after a CT scan at a local hospital revealed troubling findings.
Following surgery in June 2024, Bravo's health drastically improved. Dr. Laleh Melstrom at City of Hope in California, who performed the procedure, confirmed the tumor was treatable and that she was likely cancer-free post-surgery, as no active cancer cells were detected in the tumor sample. Bravo emphasizes the importance of immediate medical attention when experiencing unusual symptoms, stating, “You should listen to your body; it knows when something isn't right.”
Recent advancements in pancreatic cancer research have also been bolstered by a $150 million donation to City of Hope to improve early detection methods. Bravo now advocates for awareness, urging friends to seek medical help at the first sign of trouble.
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