A YOUNG Islander has garnered millions of views after sharing her cancer journey online to raise awareness and support those with similar experiences.
Antonia Rubio (24) has taken to social media to document her experience of thyroid cancer, from diagnosis to treatment to being told that she is cancer-free.
Miss Rubio recently received the news that her radioactive iodine treatment in Southampton has been successful. All being well, she will have a final scan in July and could get the “all clear” in August.
She has shared the entire journey online, saying: “I had a long process of getting diagnosed. So I wanted to contribute to seeing real people and real experiences online.”
Through videos shared to TikTok, Miss Rubio talks about her daily life and emotions to show that each cancer journey is different.
“It’s not a one-size-fits-all and there is no universal cancer experience,” she said.
Her content features a mix of positivity and humour and one of her videos recently garnered over one million views.
“It was really important to me to authentically post because there are lows, but there are also highs,” she said.
“It is hard and horrible… but there is a light at the end of the tunnel.”
And sharing her own journey has allowed Miss Rubio to connect with others facing similar challenges.
“Seeing and talking about our experiences makes me feel less alone,” she said.
Additionally, her content serves as a source of support for those whose loved ones are battling cancer.
“Never feel like you’re saying the wrong thing,” she advised. “Letting someone know you’re thinking about them is really valuable.”
Miss Rubio also aims to encourage viewers to seek medical help for concerning symptoms and to be persistent in getting proper care.
Posting about her cancer journey on social media has led others to consult doctors about suspicious lumps, leading to some people discovering they also had cancer, she explained.
Miss Rubio became unwell in 2020 and she suffered from fatigue, lack of appetite, rashes, poor circulation, weakness and fevers.
However, she said she faced challenges getting her symptoms recognised, which resulted in three years of incorrect diagnoses.
She felt this was because attention was focused on the pandemic at the time and that she was not taken seriously as a young woman who looked “healthy” on the outside.
Doctors initially thought her symptoms were anxiety or allergies. However, a lump on her neck eventually led to a cancer diagnosis.
When she found out she had cancer, her initial panic and distress turned to relief.
“I lived three years without any answers,” said Miss Rubio.
“I wish someone had listened to me earlier… now I have been left with long-term issues, health issues.”
Miss Rubio added that young people, especially women, often downplayed their pain.
“We are conditioned to toughen up,” she said. “But that’s detrimental.
“You might be experiencing horrible, debilitating symptoms, but you look fine, and people tell you that. It invalidates you and then you don’t seek help.”
“But, if I can help one person that’s enough for me… I’ve made the best out of a bad situation.”
