For years, 42-year-old teacher and mother of two Jasmine Carter was told her pounding headaches, dizzy spells, and crushing fatigue were nothing more than stress and anxiety. But when a routine checkup in March finally led to a biopsy, Jasmine’s world—and her community—was turned upside down: she was diagnosed with stage four metastatic breast cancer. Now, in a moving message shared on social media, Jasmine is urging anyone whose symptoms are being minimized to keep pushing for answers.
Just weeks before her diagnosis, Jasmine had posted on TikTok about her persistent migraines, crediting her local urgent care physician who had prescribed anti-anxiety medication after labeling her symptoms “stress-related” (YouTube.com). “I was told it was all in my head,” she explained in the video, tearfully detailing how she was dismissed despite reporting worsening vision problems and unexplained weight loss.
“They told me to meditate and take a day off work,” Jasmine wrote. “But my body was dying.” #CancerAwareness— Jasmine Carter (@jasmine4hope) June 15, 2025
Alarmed by the sudden turn, Jasmine’s husband, Mark, booked an MRI after Jasmine collapsed at home, describing “spells of vertigo so severe I thought I’d never stand up again.” The scan revealed multiple lesions on her brain and liver, prompting an immediate referral to the Mayo Clinic breast cancer center. Within days, she was given the shattering news: her cancer had spread aggressively.
Listening to oncologist Dr. Priya Singh explain the prognosis, Jasmine said she “felt like someone punched me in the gut.” Yet Dr. Singh, who has treated hundreds of advanced oncology cases, praised Jasmine’s resolve. “Most patients ignore symptoms until it’s too late,” she told CNN Health. “Jasmine’s story highlights why persistent advocacy is vital.”
Despite starting an intensive regimen of chemotherapy, targeted immunotherapy, and whole brain radiation, Jasmine’s journey has been punctuated by small victories—a successful surgical removal of a primary tumor, stabilized tumor markers, and the unwavering support of her online community. Her post announcing the cancer diagnosis has been viewed over 5 million times, with thousands of comments offering love, prayers, and shared experiences.
“I was told my reflux was anxiety. Turns out it was esophageal cancer,” one follower wrote. “Keep fighting.” #Stage4Strong— HopeHeals (@HopeHeals) June 15, 2025
Medical professionals emphasize that early detection dramatically improves survival rates—even in aggressive cancers. According to the American Cancer Society, the five-year survival rate for stage one breast cancer exceeds 90%, but drops below 30% once it reaches stage four. Jasmine’s warning to others is clear: don’t accept “it’s just anxiety” as an answer.
Her message echoes similar stories worldwide. In the UK, Sarah Bennett recounted how persistent cough and fatigue were attributed to “long hours and stress” until a chest X-ray revealed late-stage lung cancer, as documented in BBC News. Meanwhile, a 2024 study in The Lancet Oncology found that 15% of solid tumor cancers are misdiagnosed initially as benign conditions, leading to critical delays in treatment.
“We see dozens of cases a year where initial misdiagnosis costs precious time,” said Dr. Elena Ruiz, study lead. #LancetOncology— The Lancet (@TheLancet) June 15, 2025
In her own advocacy, Jasmine encourages people to insist on imaging studies—MRIs, CT scans, or ultrasounds—if symptoms persist beyond six weeks despite treatment. She also shared resources for second opinions, linking to the National Comprehensive Cancer Network guide on seeking further evaluation.
Yet the emotional toll is immense. Jasmine detailed nights spent in tears, Googling worst-case scenarios and worrying about leaving her children motherless. “My daughter asked me if I would die,” Jasmine shared, voice shaking, in a viral video reposted by TODAY Health. The clip has sparked widespread discussion about the psychological impact of late-stage cancer diagnoses.
“When she told me, ‘Mommy, don’t go,’ I knew I had to fight harder,” Jasmine said. #KeepFighting— TODAY Health (@TodayShowHealth) June 15, 2025
Her story has also sparked calls for better training among primary care providers to recognize red flags for cancer, especially in younger women. Research from the World Health Organization estimates that 30% of global cancer cases are detected too late due to misattribution to non-serious causes.
Inspired by Jasmine, local chapters of the Susan G. Komen Foundation organized free screening clinics in Detroit, her hometown. Over 1,200 women have undergone mammograms and ultrasounds in the past month, with seven early-stage cases identified so far—an outcome local oncologist Dr. Marcus Lee calls “a direct testament to the power of patient advocacy.”
Detroit clinic: “Seven early detections saved months of potential spread.” This is why we fight. #ScreenToSave— Susan G. Komen Detroit (@KomenDetroit) June 15, 2025
As Jasmine enters her fourth cycle of chemotherapy, she has become a beacon of hope for countless others. She’s launched a blog where she shares weekly treatment updates, nutritional tips to manage chemo side effects, and mental health resources recommended by the American Psychological Association.
Her next goal is to lobby for medical curricula reforms so new doctors are trained to question persistent symptoms rather than default to dismissing them. “If my story saves one life, it’s worth every tear,” Jasmine told the NBC News.
For anyone reading this, Jasmine’s message is simple: trust your body, insist on answers, and remember that you deserve to be heard. In her own words, “Cancer steals time. Don’t let doubt steal your chance.”
