Seattle Anchor, Who Considered Skipping Checkup Due to Pandemic, Learns She Has Thyroid Cancer

By Stephanie Tsoflias Siegel 

KOMO anchor Molly Shen almost missed her annual checkup because of Covid-19 concerns.

But she went—and the Seattle anchor’s doctor noticed a lump on her throat that turned out to be thyroid cancer.

“A personal note to let you know that I’m going to be off the air for a few weeks. At a recent checkup, my doctor noticed some swelling above my collarbone. Despite looking at myself in mirror daily, I hadn’t noticed it. This led to blood tests, an ultrasound, a biopsy, a CT scan and a diagnosis of papillary thyroid cancer. If you are one of the many people who has had thyroid cancer, you know it is very treatable. An even better word—it’s highly curable. I had surgery yesterday, and all went well! I’m down a thyroid and a bunch of lymph nodes, but I’m already on my way to recovery,” Shen wrote.

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Many people have stayed away from doctors offices these past few months due to the pandemic.

“The Washington Hospital Association recently said they’ve seen a dramatic drop-off in clinic visits because people are anxious about exposure to coronavirus. I get it. I thought about delaying my annual exam. But I knew my doctor’s office was taking every precaution. It’s a safe place. So I went to my appointment, and my OBGYN spotted something that concerned her,” she wrote.

Shen is recovering in the hospital, and is taking time off from work for now.

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