A woman on TikTok has revealed the “cool streak” she had on her thumbnail turned out to be a rare form of cancer.
Watch the video below:
Maria Sylvia, 25, from Virginia explained on the video sharing app that she first noticed the mark when she was 16 years old in December 2012.
Because the line was very faint at first, it wasn’t a massive cause for concern for Maria at the time.
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The TikToker, who posts as @invrfoundwaldo, noticed that the line became darker over the course of a year and the former athlete, who notes she was always visiting the doctors for physicals, said most doctors failed to notice it.
One doctor noticed the line on her nail, but because she “didn’t fit the demographics” no tests were done at the time but she was told to see a doctor if the line grew bigger.
She explained that because she “didn’t really have any issue” with the mark, her diagnosis was delayed.
“I didn’t have any pain with it, so I just figured it was a mole because that’s what they told me, that it was most likely a mole in my nail bed,” she explained.
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It wasn’t until a friend pushed her to get a biopsy that she found out in January this year that she had subungual melanoma.
Nine years after she first noticed the line, the TikToker was diagnosed with the rare type of skin cancer that grows under the fingernails.
The TikToker captioned the first video: “Me: Having this for 10 years, thinking it was a cool streak in my nail.”
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In another frame in the video, which has now been viewed more than 25 million times since it was uploaded two weeks ago, she said: “It’s cancer”.
The video received more than three million likes and over 35,000 comments from shocked, concerned and thankful commenters.
One TikToker revealed they had a similar experience, writing: “I had this exact cancer! I [had] my thumb amputated a year ago and cancer free! 6 surgeries, and 5 years later! Hope you’re doing well!”
Another TikTok user shared: “I have a very light one. umma go check it out.”
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While a third wrote: “Hope you get well soon”.
One person wrote: “I had the same line it turn out to be cancer. It disappeared with the treatments.”
Another grateful viewer said: “Made me check my nails”.
And someone else recounted: “Yup my ex had that on his toe and we found out shortly after he had cancer”.
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In an interview with Newsweek, Maria said she was referred to The John Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland, where her entire nail bed and top of her thumb was removed down to the bone and tendon by surgeons on 11th March 2022, four days before she posted her viral video.
Thankfully, tests revealed that the cancer had not spread and confirmed she would not need to have her thumb amputated or undergo any further treatment.
Subungual melanoma is seen in only 0.07 per cent to 3.5 per cent of the world’s population who have melanoma, according to WebMD. It can spread to other parts of the body and can even lead to death.
In 75 per cent to 90 per cent of reported cases, the cancer is found in the thumb or big toe but it can also be found in the other toes and fingers.
It is the most common form of malignant melanoma in African-Americans, Asians and Hispanics. Subungual melanoma typically affects women in their 60s and men in their 70s, this may be why Maria was not considered in the at-risk category.
Dr Ross Perry, Medical Director of Cosmedics skin clinics, explains that patients may mistake subungual melanoma for a bruise. Because of this, it may not seem as urgent to seek advice from a GP but Dr Perry says it's very important to do so if you feel unsure. “If in doubt check it out as early detection is incredibly important and occasionally you might need to get another opinion if you feel dissatisfied,” he tells Tyla.
A biopsy may be performed using a tube-like instrument with a sharp end to take a small sample to be tested for melanoma. “To date, surgery is the only viable treatment method for this type of melanoma,” says Dr Perry.
“The biopsy can also be used to rule out other conditions, such as fungal infection.
"It’s important to note that subungual melanoma isn’t caused by sun exposure and can be difficult to prevent compared to other types of melanoma.”
Although a direct cause hasn’t been found, Dr Perry says most cases appear to be caused by repeated injury or trauma to that area of the body.
He adds: “Alongside checking your body for skin cancer throughout the year, you should also inspect nails regularly for any unusual changes.”
For more information about melanoma skin cancer, please visit the NHS website. For help, support and advice, you can also visit Macmillan.
Gregory Robinson