Published Jan 22, 2021

‘The Biggest Loser’s’ Erica Lugo Shares Powerful Photos of Thyroid Cancer Surgery On 2-Year-Anniversary; Reminds Women to ‘#CheckTheirNeck’

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Erica Lugo's Cancer Journey

The Biggest Loser contestant Erica Lugo, 33, recently shared photos of her thyroid cancer journey from two years ago, and is encouraging everyone to check their necks for signs of the disease.
Lugo went through surgery and radiation for treatment in 2018, and a recent check-up revealed no sign of cancer.
One of the most common signs of thyroid cancer is a lump/tumor in the neck, and other symptoms can include difficulty swallowing, changes to your voice, and a consistent cough.

The Biggest Loser’s Erica Lugo may have expected her weight-loss journey to be the biggest challenge she’d face in her life, but two years ago a cancer diagnosis changed all of that. In honor of the anniversary of her surgery, Lugo is spreading some much-needed awareness about the disease and encouraging all women to #CheckTheirNeck.

Lugo, 33, who appeared on The Biggest Loser in 2013 and lost an incredible 150 pounds, recently shared a series of photos of thyroid cancer surgery that she had two years ago. According to Lugo, she was diagnosed the day after Thanksgiving in 2018, after being in a severe car accident when doctors noticed a lump in her neck during a head and neck scan. She had surgery to treat her thyroid cancer, to remove the mass, and then radiation afterwards. “If it wasn't for that car accident it probably would have been years for me to "find" that lump,” Lugo writes.

#CheckTheirNeck

In an inspiring Instagram message, Lugo shares some facts around thyroid cancer in order to spread information and awareness around the disease. Most thyroid cancer diagnoses occur by identifying a lump in the neck, which is a tumor. However, the disease can go unnoticed and untreated because of the location of the tumor and that’s why Lugo is encouraging everyone to check their neck regularly for signs of the cancer.

“As women we are taught to check our breast, but I'm telling you, #CheckYourNeck. It's a fast rising cancer in women (mainly because tests and detection has vastly grown over the years),” she writes.

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A post shared by Erica Lugo â¬‡ï¸ 150 Lbs (@ericafitlove)

What is Thyroid Cancer?

Thyroid cancer is a disease that begins in the thyroid gland, which is at the base of the neck. Oftentimes, the cancer will present itself as a large bump (tumor) in the neck. Other symptoms of the disease can sometimes be hard to detect yourself, as they can often mirror the common cold. These signs may include difficulty swallowing, changes to your voice, and a consistent cough. Since these symptoms can be confused with a cold, it's important to be vigilant about your health and speak up if they continue without explanation and do not waver.

In Lugo’s case, she was completely unaware of the cancer until the scan pointed it out. This isn’t uncommon, and that’s why it’s so important that we all regularly check our body for anything that may be different. While men may sometimes ignore symptoms in order to delay a doctor visit, women may be dismissed by their doctors when addressing issues. When it comes to catching a cancer diagnosis early, it’s critical to be your own advocate.

Dr. Beth Karlan says, “If You Feel Something, Say Something”

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