At 43, Ms. Lan (name changed for privacy), a dedicated high school teacher in Hanoi, was known for her tireless work ethic and love for her students. For over two decades, she had lived a busy, fulfilling life, balancing work, family, and community responsibilities. However, her life took an unexpected and tragic turn when she was diagnosed with not just one, but two types of cancer — thyroid and breast — at the same time.

The most alarming part of her story isn’t just the rare simultaneous diagnosis. It’s that the warning signs had been there for six months, but like many people, she chose to ignore them.

It began with a mild but persistent cough and occasional fatigue. Ms. Lan attributed these symptoms to the stress of teaching during exam season and the weather changes. She also noticed a small lump in her neck, but assumed it was a swollen gland from a recent cold. At one point, she felt a slight tightness in her chest and later found a small, hard lump in her left breast. Still, she brushed it off, thinking, "I’m just tired" or "It’s probably nothing."

Despite her husband and daughter urging her to see a doctor, Ms. Lan postponed the visit multiple times. She feared the inconvenience, the possible bad news, and most of all, she feared losing control of her life.

It wasn’t until a school health screening flagged irregularities in her blood test that she finally went for a full checkup. After a series of scans and biopsies, the diagnosis was devastating: early-stage thyroid cancer and stage II breast cancer. Her doctors were shocked at the dual diagnosis, which is statistically rare but not impossible, especially when routine checkups are skipped.

The treatment plan was intense. Ms. Lan had to undergo surgery to remove the cancerous thyroid tissue, followed by radioactive iodine treatment. Simultaneously, she began chemotherapy for her breast cancer, followed by targeted therapy and eventual surgery.

“I never thought this would happen to me,” she shared in a blog post she later wrote to raise awareness. “The signs were there — my body was trying to tell me something, but I didn’t listen.”

Ms. Lan’s story quickly went viral online, not only because of the rarity of her condition but because it resonated with so many people — especially women — who often put their health last while caring for others.

Medical experts emphasize that early detection saves lives. The symptoms Ms. Lan experienced were subtle but significant: a persistent cough, unexplained fatigue, a lump in the neck, breast discomfort, and slight weight loss. These are not always clear signs of cancer, but they are signals that something could be wrong.

Fortunately, because the cancers were detected before they advanced further, Ms. Lan has a strong chance of recovery. She has since returned to teaching part-time and is now an advocate for regular medical checkups and listening to your body.

Her message is clear: “Don’t ignore what your body is trying to tell you. No matter how busy you are, your health comes first.”