Medical student discovers thyroid cancer after class ultrasound
Sally Rohan, a second-year medical student at the Rowan-Virtua School of Osteopathic Medicine in New Jersey, made a shocking discovery during a class ultrasound that ultimately led to an unexpected cancer diagnosis.
During a class exercise in November 2022, Rohan acted as a patient while her classmates learned to use ultrasound to examine the thyroid. To her surprise, she noticed abnormalities in her own thyroid tissue, prompting her to seek medical attention.
After consulting with her primary care doctor, Rohan was advised to wait for further testing until she had secured health insurance. Unfortunately, that wait turned into over a year, eventually leading to a diagnosis of thyroid cancer.
Despite the initially positive outlook for her diagnosis, additional testing revealed that the cancer had spread to her cervical lymph nodes, requiring extensive surgery to remove the affected tissues.
Rohan’s experience has left a lasting impact on her, noting that it has made her a more empathetic person and will influence the way she serves her future patients as a physician.
While she continues to take medication to compensate for her missing thyroid gland, Rohan’s journey serves as a reminder of the importance of proactive healthcare and the potential impact of routine screenings.