'Love Island' Fan Credits Reality Show Star Demi Jones, 24, for Helping Her Discover Her Own Thyroid Cancer

Jones was one of the popular cast members on reality dating show "Love Island." The show features a group of single men and women looking for love. Each week, someone is voted off the drama-filled show until the remaining cast members are left to find true love.

Jones’ cancer diagnosis came after a golf ball-sized lump was found on her neck in 2019. At the time she claimed to have no symptoms aside from the lump that formed. After two surgeries and radiation, she shared she was cancer-free in December 2021.

Fan Allie Caron followed Jones’ experience closely on TV. At the time, she too had discovered a lump on her neck.

"I saw a video where Demi was speaking about her experience with thyroid cancer, so I thought I'd better get it checked," Carson told The Mirror.

Carson's heightened awareness of her lump led to her discovering a similar lump on her mom, Helen Anderson.

"I told my mom I was waiting for a biopsy, and she told me not to worry as she was too on a similar-sized 4cm lump and it was probably nothing," Carson said.

While tests for the lump from Carson's mom came back "inconclusive," the now 26-year-old found herself diagnosed with thyroid cancer. This kind of cancer is "a disease in which cancer cells form in the tissues of the thyroid gland" the National Cancer Institute explains.

"It was scary to be told I had cancer at 25 but we caught it early and I was lucky. The surgery was scary too, but it was comforting to go through it with mom. She could relate," Carson said.

Carson's treatment included radioactive iodine. This treatment method destroys the thyroid gland and any other thyroid cells with little effect on the rest of the body, according to the American Cancer Society. As of last month, Carson says she and her mother were given the "all clear."

Fighting for Your Health

Carson may have been prompted to act after noticing unusual symptoms thanks to "Love Island," but advocating for your health is something SurvivorNet encourages for all.

Being your own advocate is always important when it comes to cancer care, but it's even more significant if your doctor might be dismissing your symptoms. While it does not seem like this was the case for Carson, many cancer survivors have unfortunately reported feeling dismissed by doctors.

Dr. Zuri Murrell explains why it’s important to advocate for your health.

You should be prepared to come to your doctor's appointment armed with questions. Discuss things like your symptoms, potential tests, and treatment options. If your doctor doesn't have all the answers, ask him or her for recommendations who may be able to answer your direct questions.

"Every appointment you leave as a patient, there should be a plan for what the doc is going to do for you, and if that doesn't work, what the next plan is," Dr. Zuri Murrell, director of the Cedars-Sinai Colorectal Cancer Center, previously told SurvivorNet.

"I think that that's totally fair. And me as a health professional that's what I do for all of my patients," Dr. Murrell added.

What About Second Opinions?

A component of advocating for yourself in healthcare includes getting multiple opinions even after a diagnosis. It's possible your doctor may have missed something or, unfortunately, not prioritized looking into a specific symptom.

Dr. Steven Rosenberg,the National Cancer Institute Chief of Surgery, previously told SurvivorNet about the advantages of getting input from multiple doctors.

"If I had any advice for you following a cancer diagnosis, it would be, first, to seek out multiple opinions as to the best care. Because finding a doctor who is up to the latest of information is important," Dr. Rosenberg said.

Cancer research legend stresses the importance of multiple opinions.

Another benefit to a second opinion comes down to the individual physician him or herself. It's possible doctors can have biases and those biases can seep into their professional work. Getting multiple opinions can help offset any bias concerns.

Evelyn Reyes-Beato, a colon cancer survivor who previously spoke to SurvivorNet about her experience, stressed the importance of being hyper-involved in your healthcare.

"First of all, just like he just said, you need to get knowledge," Reyes-Beato said.

"You need to know your own body backward and forwards. Ask questions. Don’t ever give up, and question the doctors when they recommend something for you. Ask them to break down what it is. I didn’t know what chemotherapy was when they were giving it to me…don’t be ashamed of not knowing. You’re a patient, not a doctor," Reyes-Beato adds.

Recognizing Suspicious Symptoms

SurvivorNet has shared many stories from survivors who discovered their cancers by looking into sometimes non-specific symptoms.

While certain cancers present symptoms that are hard to ignore such as a lump in the neck or breast, there are other types of cancers with symptoms that can be easily mistaken for temporary ailments such as colorectal cancer and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

Both ailments can cause disruptions in your regular bowel movements or bring about diarrhea.

If you find yourself experiencing unusual ailments or symptoms that persist you should contact your doctor.

"The truth is you have to be in tune with your body, and you realize that you are not the statistic," Dr. Murrell told SurvivorNet.

Recognizing symptoms or something abnormal and acting on them even if what you're feeling does not align with what health guidelines say is part of advocating for your health. Dr. Murrell explained this by saying if you're experiencing symptoms associated with colon cancer regardless of your age, still see your doctor.

"[To think] I don’t have to have a colonoscopy yet because I’m not 50, even though my bowel habits have changed, even though I’m having a lot of blood when I have a bowel movement. That’s why it’s important for you to actually educate yourself and be your own health care advocate," Dr. Murrell continued.

Questions for Your Doctor

If you find yourself experiencing unusual symptoms during trips to the bathroom. If you find lumps, or spots, or experience pain in parts of your body, these are things you should bring to your doctor's attention.

Here are some takeaways to think about when talking to your doctor.

• Are you experiencing pain or fever that won't go away?
• Are you gaining or losing weight unexplainably?
• Have you discovered any bumps, spots on your skin, or lumps on parts of your body that cannot be explained?
• Are you struggling to get a good night's rest?
• Are you noticing changes in your bathroom habits such as blood in your urine or stool?

Learn more about SurvivorNet's rigorous medical review process.

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