US news anchor diagnosed with cancer after viewer noticed lump: 'I will forever be grateful'
'Had I never received that email, I never would have called my doctor'
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.A TV reporter has thanked a viewer who suggested she have a lump on her throat checked after it led to a cancer diagnosis.
On Thursday, Victoria Price, a news anchor for WFLA in Tampa Bay, Florida, revealed that she had cancer in a statement shared to Twitter, where she wrote: “‘8 on Your Side' isn't just a catchphrase at WFLA. It's our cornerstone. But the roles recently reversed when I found a viewer on MY side, and I couldn't be more grateful.”
In the statement, Price explained that she has been busy working “full throttle” since the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic, which has included “never-ending shifts in a never-ending news cycle”.
“We were covering the most important health story in a century, but my own health was the farthest thing from my mind,” she wrote. “Until a viewer emailed me last month.
“She saw a lump on my neck. Said it reminded her of her own. Hers was cancer. Turns out, mine is too.”
According to Price, she will be undergoing surgery Monday to remove the cancerous tumour in her neck, her thyroid and some lymph nodes.
“Doctor says it’s spreading, but not too much, and we’re hopeful this will be my first and last procedure,” she wrote.
Along with her statement, Price shared a screenshot of the email she received from the viewer, who expressed their concern over the “lump on your neck” and encouraged the reporter to have her thyroid checked.
"Hi, just saw your news report. What concerned me is the lump on your neck," the viewer's email read. "Please have your thyroid checked. Reminds me of my neck. Mine turned out to be cancer. Take care of yourself."
“Had I never received that email, I never would have called my doctor,” Price wrote. “The cancer would have continued to spread. It’s a scary and humbling thought.”
The reporter also expressed the gratitude she feels to the concerned viewer, explaining that she will be “forever thankful to that woman who went out of her way to email me, a total stranger”.
“The world is a tough place these days,” Price concluded. “Don’t forget to take care of yourself. Take care of each other.”
Price also shared a photo of herself, in which her neck can be seen protruding slightly, which she explained in another tweet is because the tumour is pressing on her thyroid.
This is not the first time a viewer’s advice has helped a TV personality.
In 2013, HGTV host Tarek El Moussa of Flip or Flop followed the advice of one viewer who noticed he had a lump on his neck and suggested to producers he get it checked out.
After seeking medical advice, the reality show host found out that he also had thyroid cancer and began receiving the necessary treatment.
And in 2019, Inside Edition anchor Deborah Norville also underwent surgery to remove a cancerous thyroid nodule from her neck after it was spotted by viewers.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments