Cancer is something that touches nearly every family, whether directly or through someone we know. Despite this, many of the early warning signs are often ignored, brushed off as something minor or unrelated. That’s exactly what happened to one young woman, Hannah, whose heartbreaking story has gone viral on social media. She’s now using her platform to bring attention to a serious issue—medical dismissal—and why it’s so important to trust your instincts when it comes to your health. Her story is more than just a cautionary tale; it’s a call to action for anyone who’s ever felt unheard by the healthcare system.

In 2021, Hannah, a travel content creator on TikTok who runs the popular account @thattravelcouple with her husband Charlie, began experiencing a series of alarming symptoms. It started with a persistent cough that wouldn’t go away, followed by a full-body rash, extreme fatigue, and sudden, unexplained weight loss. At first, she tried to make light of the situation, joking that the weight loss was a win. But deep down, she sensed something wasn’t right. Her body was giving her warning after warning, but her concerns weren’t taken seriously.

“I was medically gaslit for over eight months,” Hannah explained in one of her TikTok videos. “It led to a late diagnosis of stage four cancer. So no, me and my GP are not exactly on friendly terms anymore.” Despite her growing list of symptoms and multiple calls to her doctor’s office, her concerns were dismissed repeatedly. Instead of running tests or offering in-person appointments, she was given antibiotics and told to monitor her condition. The dismissals continued, and the symptoms only got worse.

Hannah recounted how she was refused an in-person appointment at one point and joked that the medical staff must have labeled her a hypochondriac in their system. Her sarcasm was rooted in frustration—she had been trying to advocate for herself, and yet no one was listening. Then things took a terrifying turn.

As time passed, the tumor growing inside her chest began pressing on her lungs, leading to pneumonia. Despite feeling increasingly worse, she still tried to push through the pain. But the discomfort became unbearable. One day, the pain in her chest was so intense that she thought she might be having a heart attack. Panicked, she rushed to the emergency room hoping someone would finally take her seriously.

Instead of receiving immediate care, she was met with skepticism. A receptionist at the ER suggested she was just experiencing “period pains.” The implication that her excruciating pain was something as routine as menstrual cramps was not only insulting—it was dangerous. Hannah called it out directly: “If that doesn’t scream misogyny, I don’t know what does.”

Thankfully, a compassionate nurse noticed that something was seriously wrong and decided to take action. An X-ray revealed a large shadow in her chest, and a follow-up CT scan confirmed the devastating diagnosis. Hannah had a 12-centimeter tumor pressing against her spine, heart, and lungs. The cancer had already progressed to stage four.

The diagnosis came nearly a year after Hannah had first tried to get help. In a TikTok caption, she summarized the trauma: “I was medically gaslit for 8 months… and it nearly cost me my life. I was dismissed with antibiotics, told I was being dramatic, and denied scans, all while a 12cm tumor was crushing my lungs and heart.”

By the time someone finally listened to her, it was almost too late. She began an intense treatment plan, which included eight months of chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and participation in a clinical trial. It’s been a long and painful journey, but Hannah is still standing—and now she’s determined to use her experience to help others.

Her story is a powerful reminder of why we have to advocate for ourselves in medical settings, especially as women, who are often dismissed or labeled as overly emotional. “This is your reminder to fight for answers,” she urged her followers. “If they won’t give you a test, ask them to write that in your notes. It might just save your life.”

Hannah’s courage in sharing her story has sparked important conversations about how the healthcare system sometimes fails patients—particularly young women—by minimizing their symptoms or attributing them to anxiety, stress, or hormonal changes. Her experience is not unique, and that’s exactly why it resonates with so many people. It highlights a systemic issue that needs urgent attention.

Medical dismissal can be deadly. In Hannah’s case, it delayed a crucial diagnosis, allowed the cancer to spread, and turned what might have been an early intervention into a life-or-death battle. Her message is clear: don’t accept being brushed off. If you feel something is wrong, keep pushing until someone listens. Your intuition is often your best ally when your body is in distress.

Hannah’s story is heartbreaking, but it’s also incredibly inspiring. It shows the strength it takes to keep fighting—not just against illness, but against a system that too often fails to take young women’s health seriously. Her journey reminds us all of the importance of being persistent, asking questions, and never being afraid to advocate for ourselves. Whether you’re dealing with a health scare or supporting someone who is, her message is one of empowerment, resilience, and hope. And most importantly, it’s a reminder that your voice matters. Keep using it.