"Get Surgery Quickly"... Early Detection of Daughter's Rare Cancer Thanks to SNS Photo

Posted a photo of my daughter on SNS, netizens say "possible cancer"
A shining spot in the eye... diagnosed with rare disease 'Retinoblastoma'

Sharia diagnosed with retinoblastoma. Photo by Jasmine Martin Instagram capture.

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Bong-ju] A woman’s story of discovering and treating her daughter’s rare cancer early, thanks to a photo posted on social networking services (SNS), is gaining attention.

According to ABC News and others on the 15th, Justin Martin, who lives in eastern Knoxville, Tennessee, noticed something small sparkling in her daughter Sariya’s right eye on July 30.

Suspicious of this, Martin posted a photo of her daughter on Facebook and Instagram a few days later.

When some netizens responded that it could possibly be cancer, Martin took her daughter to a pediatrician for an examination.

The pediatrician said there was no need to worry, but wanting a more accurate diagnosis, Martin showed the photo of her daughter to a friend working at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, western Tennessee.

Martin’s friend showed the photo to an ophthalmologist, who said that Sariya’s condition should definitely be checked.

Mother Jasmine Martin (left), daughter Sariya (right). Photo by Jasmine Martin Instagram capture.

As a result of immediately visiting St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Sariya was diagnosed with retinoblastoma, a rare childhood cancer affecting both eyes.

According to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, retinoblastoma is an eye cancer found in 250 to 300 children annually, mainly affecting those under five years old. It can appear in both eyes, and if left untreated, it can threaten not only vision but also life.

The small spot on Sariya’s left eye was removed with a laser, and the tumor in her right eye is being reduced through a combination of cryotherapy and chemotherapy.

Now 17 months old, Sariya was discharged at the end of last month and is receiving outpatient treatment.

Through Instagram, Martin expressed, “Thanks to my daughter’s strong will, we can finally go home,” and added, “Even strangers told me that my daughter’s eye might have cancer. There really are many kind people in the world,” expressing her gratitude.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.