A Kentucky Reporter with Good News
- Kentucky-based reporter and anchor Kristen Kennedy announced she was thyroid cancer-free this week after two surgeries.
- She discovered the cancerous lump after multiple viewers expressed concerns about a lump on her neck.
- Thyroid cancer, like many other cancers, can be difficult to spot and early cancer detection is key to successful treatment. So, it is important to talk to a doctor if you have any concerns about your body.
“I don't have a lot of answers, but I do have a lot of faith,” Kennedy wrote. “I am determined to make my story about God's glory, not about my defeat.”
Fast forward to Monday, and Kennedy has shared the best news yet.
“Last winter, two of our dearest/oldest friends from Texas sent us a bottle of champagne, to open when I kick cancer's you-know-what,” Kennedy said in her Facebook post. “After three months of good bloodwork, ultrasounds, and exams, my doctors are telling me the cancer did NOT spread. I am cancer-free! (And I am drinking this champagne!)”
Kennedy said she’s grateful for the love and support she received throughout her cancer journey.
"After I was done with surgery, the outpouring of support coming back to work was so nice and so helpful," Kennedy said. "And so, when I was feeling really down, it was really nice to get support from coworkers here in person, but then also just from viewers, emailing, telling me about their experiences, telling me that they were still praying for me, even after surgery."
Understanding Thyroid Cancer
Thyroid cancer is a type of cancer that starts in the thyroid gland which makes hormones that help regulate your metabolism, heart rate, blood pressure and body temperature, according to the American Cancer Society.
Spotting thyroid cancer can often be difficult. The American Cancer Society reports that symptoms may include a lump, swelling or pain in the neck, voice changes, trouble swallowing or breathing or even a constant cough.
“Most people have no discrete symptoms the majority of cases now are found incidentally,” Dr. Allen Ho, a head and neck surgeon at Cedars-Sinai Hospital, tells SurvivorNet. “However, a sizeable number of people may first discover their cancer when they feel a bump on their neck. Other possible late symptoms include problems swallowing, the sensation of something in their throat, neck compression when laying flat or voice changes.”
Dr. Beth Karlan says, “If You Feel Something, Say Something”
The good news is that many of these possible symptoms, including lumps in the thyroid, are both common and commonly benign but it never hurts to ask your doctor. Chances of cancer recovery increase significantly with early detection, so it's important to address any warning signs of thyroid cancer, or any cancer for that matter, with a medical expert swiftly.
Learn more about SurvivorNet's rigorous medical review process.