Natasha Allen , a social media personality who openly shared her battle with cancer on Instagram and TikTok, has died at the age of 28.
Her family announced on Aug. 23 that she passed away on Aug. 22 after living with synovial sarcoma for five years.
The statement posted to her official accounts read: “Natasha was a beautiful soul full of love, kindness, and joy. She touched countless hearts and she was a big advocate for synovial sarcoma awareness. Her spirit will continue to inspire all who had the privilege of knowing her. Any donations will go towards her service, any remaining funds will go towards synovial sarcoma research.”
Allen first revealed that she had been diagnosed with Stage 3 synovial sarcoma in July 2020, when she was just 23. The discovery came after she underwent knee surgery for what doctors initially thought was a cyst. The mass turned out to be a tumor.
She went through chemotherapy, radiation, and tumor extractions, eventually reaching remission in spring 2021. But later that year, scans showed the cancer had returned as Stage 4 and spread to her lungs. Some tumors responded to treatment, shrinking in size, while new ones appeared. The disease eventually reached her lymph nodes.
In a TikTok video posted in April this year, Allen spoke candidly about her treatment. “Officially, I have a 15 per cent chance of being alive for five years after being diagnosed with stage 4. Me, however, I’m gonna be different. I’m putting that out in the universe,” she said.
What is synovial sarcoma?
According to the Cleveland Clinic, synovial sarcoma is a rare form of soft tissue cancer that develops in muscles, ligaments, and other connective tissues. The name comes from the way the cancer cells resemble those found in synovial joints, such as the knees, hips, and shoulders. Around 1,000 people are diagnosed with this type of cancer each year in the United States.
It tends to grow slowly, and in many cases, people don’t feel symptoms until the tumor becomes large enough to form a noticeable lump. Pain, numbness, or swelling may occur if the tumor presses on nearby nerves. Because the signs are subtle, synovial sarcoma can be mistaken for less serious conditions like arthritis or bursitis.
Symptoms
Synovial sarcoma often develops over years without clear symptoms. When it does become noticeable, it may show up as a lump that you can see or feel, sometimes painless. Other common signs include swelling, persistent pain, or numbness in the affected area.
Causes
Researchers are still trying to understand what triggers synovial sarcoma. What they do know, according to the National Cancer Institute, is that the disease is tied to chromosome mutations. In nearly all cases, the cancer cells share a common mutated gene. This happens when pieces of chromosomes break apart and rejoin in the wrong order, creating a mutation that disrupts normal cell function.
Her family announced on Aug. 23 that she passed away on Aug. 22 after living with synovial sarcoma for five years.
The statement posted to her official accounts read: “Natasha was a beautiful soul full of love, kindness, and joy. She touched countless hearts and she was a big advocate for synovial sarcoma awareness. Her spirit will continue to inspire all who had the privilege of knowing her. Any donations will go towards her service, any remaining funds will go towards synovial sarcoma research.”
Allen first revealed that she had been diagnosed with Stage 3 synovial sarcoma in July 2020, when she was just 23. The discovery came after she underwent knee surgery for what doctors initially thought was a cyst. The mass turned out to be a tumor.
She went through chemotherapy, radiation, and tumor extractions, eventually reaching remission in spring 2021. But later that year, scans showed the cancer had returned as Stage 4 and spread to her lungs. Some tumors responded to treatment, shrinking in size, while new ones appeared. The disease eventually reached her lymph nodes.
In a TikTok video posted in April this year, Allen spoke candidly about her treatment. “Officially, I have a 15 per cent chance of being alive for five years after being diagnosed with stage 4. Me, however, I’m gonna be different. I’m putting that out in the universe,” she said.
https://www.instagram.com/p/DHZcT7uu6hG/?img_index=1 https://www.instagram.com/p/DHZcT7uu6hG/?img_index=1
What is synovial sarcoma?
According to the Cleveland Clinic, synovial sarcoma is a rare form of soft tissue cancer that develops in muscles, ligaments, and other connective tissues. The name comes from the way the cancer cells resemble those found in synovial joints, such as the knees, hips, and shoulders. Around 1,000 people are diagnosed with this type of cancer each year in the United States.
It tends to grow slowly, and in many cases, people don’t feel symptoms until the tumor becomes large enough to form a noticeable lump. Pain, numbness, or swelling may occur if the tumor presses on nearby nerves. Because the signs are subtle, synovial sarcoma can be mistaken for less serious conditions like arthritis or bursitis.
Symptoms
Synovial sarcoma often develops over years without clear symptoms. When it does become noticeable, it may show up as a lump that you can see or feel, sometimes painless. Other common signs include swelling, persistent pain, or numbness in the affected area.
Causes
Researchers are still trying to understand what triggers synovial sarcoma. What they do know, according to the National Cancer Institute, is that the disease is tied to chromosome mutations. In nearly all cases, the cancer cells share a common mutated gene. This happens when pieces of chromosomes break apart and rejoin in the wrong order, creating a mutation that disrupts normal cell function.
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