Woman, 21, diagnosed with cancer told she has days left to live after warning of early signs that are easy to dismiss
Dominique McShain is a 21-year-old woman who recently shared some very sad news about her health. Last year, she was told she had colorectal cancer, which means cancer in the colon or rectum. The doctors said the cancer could not be cured. She was only 20 years old at the time and studying psychology at university. When she found out about the cancer, she made the tough choice to leave university. Instead of continuing school, she decided to travel and enjoy life as much as she could while she still had time.
Dominique became well known on social media, especially TikTok, where she talked about the early signs of her cancer. She wanted to help other people understand the warning signs, since many of them are easy to ignore. In one of her videos, she talked about feeling dizzy and seeing blood in her stool—two things she didn’t realize could be symptoms of cancer. That video was watched over 5.5 million times. She hoped that by sharing her story, she could help others catch the disease early.
After her diagnosis, doctors told Dominique she might have between one and five years to live. Sadly, she recently shared that her condition has gotten worse. Her liver is failing very fast, and the cancer is spreading more quickly now. Because of this, doctors said she can’t get any more treatment, not even the chemotherapy she had been receiving for several months.
Dominique posted her final update on Instagram. She said the doctors gave her a prognosis just a few days ago—they now believe she only has a few days to a few weeks left to live. She explained that she is now receiving end-of-life care, which means doctors and nurses are helping her feel as comfortable as possible by managing her pain and other symptoms. She’s spending a lot of time in the hospital and at a hospice.
Even though her life is short, Dominique said she feels like she made the most of it. She said she’s very lucky to have such a loving family and amazing friends. She also talked about her husband, Sean, who has been by her side through everything. She said their wedding was the most special day of her life. Her message was full of love and gratitude. She thanked everyone who has supported her and been part of her life, saying she will always love them.
Dominique also has a fundraising page. People have been donating money to help her with her medical care, her travels, and now her care in the hospice. Many people have supported her through her journey, and she’s touched the hearts of so many around the world with her strength and honesty.
