The Actual News

Stay informed without the news wearing you out.

Woman Notices Ear Didn’t Pop After Flight, Leads to Horrifying Diagnosis

Woman Notices Ear Didn’t Pop After Flight, Leads to Horrifying Diagnosis

Summary

A 22-year-old woman named Aida Burkins experienced ear pain and bleeding after a flight, which led to a diagnosis of a rare type of throat cancer called nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). After months of tests and treatments, including chemotherapy and radiation, she is responding well and hopes to become cancer-free.

Key Facts

  • Aida Burkins noticed her ear didn’t pop after a flight to Chicago in May 2025.
  • She experienced bleeding from her nose and worsening hearing loss.
  • Initial doctors thought it was altitude sickness, but symptoms did not improve.
  • An ear, nose, and throat (ENT) specialist found a mass blocking her Eustachian tube.
  • Biopsies and scans showed lumps in her throat and lymph nodes.
  • In February 2026, she was diagnosed with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC), a rare throat cancer.
  • NPC often relates to Epstein-Barr virus infection and is rare in the U.S.
  • Burkins has undergone chemotherapy and radiation and is responding well to treatment.
Read the Full Article

This is a fact-based summary from The Actual News. Click below to read the complete story directly from the original source.

Monday's biggest stories, one calm email.