NBC News correspondent Antonia Hylton is opening up about being diagnosed with a rare form of cancer after initially dismissing her symptoms.
The 30-year-old journalist recalled that he had been constantly struggling with stomach problems for the past two years. However, it was “easy for me to just write it off” because her career keeps her busy and traveling.
“I’m traveling, I’m on a plane [and] Maybe I don’t have the best diet. But I love what I do so it’s worth it and I won’t let these symptoms hold me back,” she told Today.
Hylton said she didn’t start treating her symptoms until August, when she saw a segment on the Today show in which Craig Melvin told a story about his late brother, who had died of colon cancer.
“Something about it really stuck with me,” she admitted.
Hylton saw the segment around the time her symptoms began to worsen. “I woke up and my face was swollen. I had trouble going to the bathroom for days,” she said.
Remembering that her family had been diagnosed with colon cancer, Hylton eventually went to a specialist who ordered a colonoscopy for her.
Antonia Hylton.
Nathan Congleton/NBC via Getty
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Three weeks later, on her 30th birthday, Hylton’s doctor told her that the exam showed she had a polyp, which turned out to be a neuroendocrine tumor.
A neuroendocrine tumor is a rare type of cancer that releases hormones into the bloodstream. It causes symptoms such as fatigue, stomach pain, weight loss, and changes in bowel habits.
“I panicked,” Hylton recalled of the diagnosis.
Hylton said her tumor was fortunately discovered early, adding: “I had a series of tissue collection procedures and screening tests to see if the cancer had spread. The last scan showed I was fine.”
Although she is fine, Hylton said the shock reminded her of the importance of paying attention to her body, listening to it and taking care of her health.
“At 30, I learned a really important lesson about listening to myself and putting myself first,” she told the outlet. “I love my job. I’ve been working hard here at NBC, and I’m not going to stop. But I learned the lesson that I can really put my health first and not put these things off.”