During an episode of the HGTV show, Beachfront Bargain Hunt, a woman who appeared on the show got the shock of her life when a viewer happened to notice something about her that was not right.
The woman was diagnosed with a deadly disease that she never knew she had. Thanks to a man who caught it, she was able to get it properly looked by a doctor.
A Surprising Savior
Nicole McGuinness from Havelock, North Carolina was informed by Dr. Erich Voigt of a lump on her throat that was potentially cancerous. Voigt is a nose, ear, and throat surgeon from New University Langone Health and is able to detect certain skin ailments in a person that could be fatal.
Voigt immediately recognized the lump in Nicole's throat from the asymmetrical appearance of the lump and the way it moved under her skin as she spoke. Voigt, not knowing if Nicole was aware of the lump, felt obligated to reach out to her. The show never gave Nicole's last name, therefore, Voigt had to use social media by posting a clip of Nicole and asking people if they knew who she was.
After two weeks, the surgeon got in contact with Nicole and urged her to get a biopsy and a sonogram done on her throat. Nicole discovered after she went for a checkup that had thyroid cancer.
Nicole and Voigt finally met face to face on Good Morning America where Nicole couldn't stop thanking the surgeon who she credits save her life. Voigt stated that he was sure Nicole would beat cancer since it was found in the early stages. Prior to this, Nicole has beat cancer before. Voigt added that social media tends to generate fake news and was happy that for once it was used in a positive way.
"Helping her was heartwarming and emotional. I've held back some tears," Voigt stated.
Cancer In America
According to the National Cancer Institue, cancer can begin when cells that that are abnormal or damaged that have not died and new cells that are not needed begin to form. The extras cells divide without stopping which causes growths known as tumors to appear.
In 2018, there will be over 1,000,000 million cases of new cancer and at least 600,000 people will die from the illness.
There are more than 100 types of cancer, the most well-known being: lung cancer, melanoma/skin cancer, breast cancer, and leukemia.
