GMA Host Michael Strahan’s Daughter Isabella, 20, “Living The Life I Fought For”- A Year Since Beating Brain Cancer

“Your story is so inspiring,” added TeeTeeMarie.

@isabellastrahan Living the life I fought for ❤️‍? #recovery #cancer #fyp ♬ The Journey – H.E.R.

Isabella’s diagnosis was medulloblastoma—a rare, fast-growing brain tumor that originates in the central nervous system. According to the National Cancer Institute, medulloblastomas are classified as grade IV tumors, meaning they are malignant and prone to spreading. Symptoms often include difficulty walking, headaches, nausea, vomiting, vision problems, and seizures.

Her treatment was intensive and grueling. Isabella underwent three brain surgeries to remove the tumor, followed by weeks of radiation and multiple rounds of chemotherapy. The goal: eliminate any remaining cancer cells and prevent recurrence.

WATCH: What You Think You Know About Chemotherapy Side Effects May Be Wrong

Chemotherapy, while powerful, comes with its own challenges. It works by circulating through the bloodstream to kill fast-dividing cancer cells—but it also affects healthy cells, leading to side effects like fatigue and nausea.

“Patients almost universally experience fatigue,” explains Dr. Renata Urban, a gynecologic oncologist at the University of Washington. “But mitigating that fatigue often depends on the patient.”

Despite the physical toll, Isabella’s strength never wavered.

Celebrating Milestones During Your Journey

Isabella taking the time to commemorate her health journey milestones is noteworthy. In typical Gen Z fashion, she used various clips amassed over time to share on social media.
For cancer warriors, reaching milestones is a big deal. After undergoing grueling cancer treatment for nearly a year, Isabella is understandably joyful, having made it to this moment.

According to Cancer.net, patients and their support groups filled with loved ones may engage in some activities to help recognize and celebrate memorable milestones. These activities include planning a nice dinner or party-like gathering and spending time donating money or volunteering at a cancer charity. Perhaps the way you memorialize your cancer milestone could be independent of others. Examples include a solitary walk in nature and allowing your senses to take hold while you reflect.

Once In Remission, a New Stage of Your Journey Begins

After a cancer warrior has made it through treatment and scans reveal no evidence of disease, it’s safe to say remission has been reached.

WATCH: Understanding Maintenance Therapy

The National Cancer Institute (NCI) defines remission as a “decrease in or disappearance of signs and symptoms of cancer.” In general, patients who remain in remission for at least five years are considered to have “no signs of cancer” or “no evidence of disease.” Physicians often avoid saying someone is “cured” of cancer because some cancer cells can remain in the body and could return years down the road (also called recurrence).

While in remission, cancer survivors need to follow guidance from their care team. The types of follow-up may include undergoing regular scans every few months and taking maintenance therapy, which helps slow disease progression and extends the remission period.

“The premise of maintenance therapy is that we know there may be a low-level disease that’s still there, either at or below the level of detection with formal testing, and we want to use less intense therapy to try and keep it at bay or further reduce the burden even more,” Dr. Sagar Lonial, Chief Medical Officer at the Winship Cancer Institute at Emory University explained to SurvivorNet.

It’s not uncommon for cancer survivors to experience heightened levels of anxiety after cancer. This notably appears while receiving regular scans to ensure the cancer has not returned. This type of anxiety (also called scanxiety) is normal, and some helpful tips exist to help deal with it.

“The way that I define anxiety is that it’s an internal question that we simply can’t find the answers to,” Dr. Marianna Strongin, a clinical psychologist and founder of Strong In Therapy, previously told SurvivorNet.

WATCH: Learning to Cope With Anxiety

Survivors are encouraged to be open with their feelings, not just to themselves but to people they trust.

Survivors are also encouraged to find an activity they love and can become so immersed in that they forget about the anxieties associated with cancer.

Psychiatrist Dr. Samantha Boardman suggests that survivors draw four columns on a sheet of paper. Then, they are asked to write down what they know, what they don’t know, and what they can and cannot control.

“It’s a helpful way to dial down their anxiety. It involves trying to move as many items as possible into what they do know and what they can control,” Dr. Boardman said.

Better Understanding Brain Tumors

Brain tumors can impact a person’s cognitive function and overall well-being, depending largely on the tumor’s size, type, and specific location within the brain. When large enough, tumors may interfere with the central nervous system, pressing on nearby nerves, blood vessels, or tissues. This disruption may result in difficulties with coordination, balance, or mobility.

According to the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), brain tumors make up 85–90% of all primary central nervous system (CNS) tumors. They can be benign or malignant, with treatment and symptoms varying based on tumor type and location.

WATCH: Hope for Glioblastoma Research

While some brain tumors cause noticeable symptoms, others can go unnoticed for long periods. When symptoms do occur, they might include:

• Persistent headaches
• Difficulty speaking or processing thoughts
• Muscle weakness
• Behavioral or personality changes
• Vision disturbances
• Seizures
• Hearing loss
• Confusion
• Memory issues

Treatment Options for Brain Tumors

Treatment strategies for brain cancer depend on several variables, including the tumor’s size, type, grade, and location. Doctors may recommend:

• Surgery
• Radiation therapy
• Chemotherapy

Your medical team will help guide you based on your individual diagnosis. The prognosis—or outlook—depends on:

• Tumor type and growth rate
• Tumor location in the brain
• Presence of genetic mutations or abnormalities
• Whether the entire tumor can be removed
• The patient’s overall health

Types of Brain Tumors: Cancerous and Non-Cancerous

According to the National Cancer Institute, brain tumors can vary greatly in behavior. Some common non-cancerous (benign) types include:

• Chordomas: Slow-growing, often found near the spine’s base or where it meets the skull
• Craniopharyngiomas: Develop near the pituitary gland; rare and slow-growing
• Gangliocytomas: Form in the temporal lobe and affect the central nervous system
• Glomus jugulare: Rare and slow-growing
• Meningiomas: Typically grow on the brain’s outer protective layer (dura mater)
• Pineocytomas: Arise from the pineal gland near the brain’s center
• Pituitary adenomas: Located in the pituitary gland; generally slow-growing
• Schwannomas: Originate in Schwann cells, which insulate nerve fibers
• Acoustic neuromas (vestibular schwannomas): Impact on hearing and balance nerves

Common malignant (cancerous) brain tumors include:

• Gliomas: The most frequent and aggressive form of primary brain cancer
• Astrocytomas: Derived from star-shaped brain cells, with four growth grades
• Ependymomas: Graded based on aggressiveness
• Oligodendrogliomas: Can grow slowly (Grade 2) or aggressively (Grade 3)
• Medulloblastomas: Fast-growing and often found in children
• Glioblastomas: The most common and aggressive brain tumor in adults

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