Diagnosis Journey of Skyla Cui
Skyla Cui felt something was off with her health. It took her nearly a year of persistence—visiting various doctors and accruing over $70,000 in medical bills—before finally receiving a cancer diagnosis.
The 21-year-old college student, who was studying computer science at Columbia University in New York last summer, first noticed swelling in her neck. During her annual check-up a few weeks later, she mentioned the issue and underwent an ultrasound in August 2024. That test cost $1,642 before any insurance was applied and revealed no signs of cancer or disease.
Without any other symptoms, Cui thought the lump was likely harmless. “My first symptom was just a swollen lymph node and the ultrasound didn’t provide a lot of clarity,” she said. “Being young and with no other symptoms, it didn’t seem urgent, so I wasn’t rushing to follow up.”
However, nine months later, the lymph node was still swollen. She returned for an MRI, which cost $1,708 before insurance, to get a clearer picture of the mass. When the MRI results raised suspicion, a biopsy was ordered.
Doctors needed about half an hour to take a sample from her lymph node. Unfortunately, after numbing her and inserting a needle, they found they had missed the node entirely. Both tests resulted in inconclusive findings, and Cui was billed $7,259 with only partial insurance coverage. Following this, her doctor suggested another visit to try again, but since she was still healing and had just one symptom, Cui chose to hold off.
Just two days later, she underwent a costly robot-assisted lung biopsy that amounted to $43,450, confirming her diagnosis of lymphoma, a cancer affecting the lymphatic system. Each year, nearly 90,000 people are diagnosed with lymphoma, primarily affecting those in their 20s and over 55, with an average diagnosis age of 39.
Before starting treatment, Cui needed a PET scan to find out the cancer’s stage. She faced difficulties with her insurance when it came time to pay for the test. “They suggested waiting 28 days and submitting another claim,” Cui recounted. After much communication with her insurance company, she finally received the PET scan, which cost $13,711 before coverage, ultimately diagnosing her with stage four Hodgkin lymphoma. In total, she faced bills of $71,470 before any treatment began, unsure how much would be her responsibility after insurance covered some costs.
Hodgkin lymphoma, making up about 9 percent of all lymphoma cases, presents symptoms like enlarged lymph nodes and fatigue, yet Cui’s only symptom was a swollen lymph node. Fortunately, even at stage four, prognosis is generally favorable, with a five-year survival rate of 84 percent. The National Cancer Institute notes that the average cost of cancer care in the year following diagnosis is around $109,727.
Cui has been sharing her cancer treatment journey on TikTok, highlighting the costs associated with care before insurance. While she feels fortunate not to have to pay everything upfront, she acknowledges that 27 million uninsured Americans face a much tougher reality.
Viewers from across the globe have expressed their concern about America’s expensive healthcare system. Comments ranged from disbelief to sympathy, with many unable to comprehend the situation.
Now, as she continues her treatment, Cui has completed four rounds of chemotherapy and is focused on finding the right specialists. She described the process of selecting a doctor within her insurance network as daunting. “Choosing the right doctor who fits my needs but knowing they could be out-of-network was incredibly stressful,” she said.
Cui encourages young women facing similar challenges to take charge of their treatment journey. “There’s a lot of power in our hands. We can control how we approach what’s happening to us,” she asserted, hoping her story inspires positivity and raises awareness about the healthcare system.
As of now, her treatment plan consists solely of chemotherapy. Fortunately, she feels hopeful because of her age and overall health, which motivates her to keep fighting.
