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California Woman's Earache After Flight Revealed as Rare Cancer
Aida Barkins, 22, from California, was diagnosed with a rare Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma after experiencing persistent ear blockage and bleeding following a flight. Initially dismissed as altitude sickness, her condition worsened over months, leading to a diagnosis in February 2026.
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What happened
- 01Aida Barkins, 22, was diagnosed with rare Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma after months of ear blockage and bleeding.
- 02Her symptoms, initially mistaken for altitude sickness after a May 2025 flight, worsened over time.
- 03A CT scan revealed masses, leading to the NPC diagnosis in February 2026.
- 04Professor Oded Cohen explained the rarity of the cancer and its potential early symptoms.
- 05Barkins is responding well to chemotherapy and radiation treatment.
She is now undergoing treatment with chemotherapy and radiation, showing positive response, and is sharing her story to encourage early medical evaluation for persistent symptoms.
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