Peritoneal Mesothelioma Survivor Shares Ongoing Reality of Survivorship

Tamron Little was 21 and pregnant when what was thought to be a fibroid tumor was later found to be peritoneal mesothelioma. Given 18 months to live, she sought a second opinion and underwent HIPEC surgery while caring for her newborn. Years later, she began publicly sharing her story to help others facing a rare cancer diagnosis feel less alone.

Little said many people assume survivorship ends when treatment does, but cancer remains a part of her daily life even 18 years later. She hopes her writing and advocacy remind others of the ongoing emotional and mental health needs after cancer and empower survivors to speak up for themselves.

CURE: What is your story?

Little: I am an 18-year — and counting, as I like to say — peritoneal mesothelioma survivor. I was originally misdiagnosed during my pregnancy. I was 21, in college, and I found out I was pregnant. When I went in to find out the sex of my baby, the ultrasound was taking a little bit longer, and I was thinking, “Oh gosh, please don't tell me I have twins.” But they said it looked like I had a fibroid tumor.

Five months after giving birth, the fibroid tumor was growing, so doctors decided to take it out. That’s when I found out I had cancer — a rare cancer I had never heard of before. At that time, there wasn’t a lot of information about it because it is rare. I was given 18 months to live.

During my journey, I found out what advocacy was all about and sought a second opinion. The first doctor didn’t know anything about mesothelioma. I appreciated his transparency, but he wasn’t trying to help me. He had no treatment options or plan of care. The specialist I found — well, that my mother found — was actually in my backyard, just at another hospital.

I had HIPEC surgery that same year. All of this happened while I was just five months postpartum.

Around 2018, I really started sharing my story. At first, it was through a guest piece — one of the writers at the Mesothelioma Center interviewed me. Before then, I hadn’t shared it. To be honest, I was embarrassed, because I grew up in a time when you didn’t even say the word “cancer.” You said “the C word,” and nobody really talked about it.

After that piece came out, there was a big response. Back then, I didn’t see anyone sharing their journey with transparency. What was out there was more general — a patient interviewed about their care at a certain hospital, very generic. I didn’t see anyone saying, “This is what I thought survivorship would be — and it wasn’t.” I didn’t get all the information I needed. I felt like I was dropped like a hot biscuit after the fact.

I realized people wanted and needed to hear that. And to speak about a rare cancer — and to have been blessed with the success I’ve had — I wanted to inspire people, give them hope and help them find their inner advocate. You have patient rights, and you have to speak up for yourself.

So I started writing and speaking about it more. And I realized, “Wow, people really don’t talk about this.”

That’s what led me here today. I still write for a couple of publications, sharing my story from a transparent point of view, because mine is unique. As you probably know, peritoneal mesothelioma — I’m not the typical patient. People see me and say, “Really? I want to hear more.” And then they find out I have children and they want to know how I got through everything.

I’ve always been a natural writer, so I decided to keep writing and speaking about it. Over the years, that’s what my platform has transformed into.

What are some common misconceptions regarding survivorship that you wish people were better informed about?

People think you have cancer, you get your treatment and then you’re done. Just go on with your life. That’s not true.

When I was first diagnosed, I believed that — because that’s what doctors told me. They didn’t really talk about survivorship. But after treatment, we’re still in this survivorship journey until we take our last breath on this Earth. Even 18 years later, cancer is still a part of my daily life. It’s still on my mind. It’s something I’m still processing. You don’t just drop it and never talk about it again.

And mental health is especially important in survivorship. You go from constant appointments and scans to everything slowing down after you’re declared “clear.” Then you’re left alone, and your mind starts wandering. That’s where mental health care becomes critical. I wrote a blog about that — how mental health is just as important as physical health.

I wish I had known that from the start.

So those are two big things I wish people understood about cancer survivorship.

Transcript has been edited for clarity and conciseness.

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