Canadian influencer Sarah DeMelo opens up about 'aggressive, relentless rare cancer' one year after diagnosis

Sarah DeMelo is reflecting on the moment she learned she was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer.

On Sunday, the Oakville, Ont. content creator marked one-year since receiving the pathology report confirming her battle with Adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC), a rare form of salivary gland cancer. The 36-year-old mom-of-two shared a heartfelt Instagram post looking back at her own cancer journey, which began eight months after her eldest son, Benjamin, was diagnosed with leukemia (he's now in remission).

"A year ago today I got the call the call that flipped our world upside down …again," she penned. "The pathology of my tumour was in."

She recalled having a typical morning with her sons when she got the news, writing, "I saw the call come in from the hospital, my surgeon on the line asking if I had someone with me. In that moment, I knew what was coming."

"An aggressive, relentless rare cancer my surgeon said," DeMelo shared. "Tears streaming down my face while I looked over at my boys."

DeMelo noted the challenges of navigating a rare and little-researched cancer. Despite the "grim" statistics surrounding ACC, she shared her gratitude for the early detection.

"My surgeon went on to tell me that I need radiation, something I so badly wanted to avoid. He said the margins were positive to sacrifice the nerve in my face that allows me to smile," she explained. "As hard as this news was to hear there was a lot to be grateful for. It was caught early and no spread which is all very important as ACC is usually found in late stages."

Acknowledging her ongoing battle with cancer even beyond the end of treatment, DeMelo remained optimistic despite feeling overwhelmed.

"I remember trying to take this all in, but feeling so defeated," she admitted. "Cancer doesn’t end after treatment but we are getting through it."

In response to her vulnerable message, fans flooded the comment section with messages of support and well-wishes.

"You are strong, and amazing and resilient! You are going to keep going and keep living and you are not another statistic ! You got this," an Instagram user wrote.

"You’re an inspiration. Truly. The good you’re doing in sharing is immeasurable! Praying for you, always," added another.

"Thank you for sharing... It takes insane strength to go through what all of you have been through, but it takes courage to share that story and relive it in order to help others," a commenter shared.

"You are the strongest momma I know. Sending so much love to you and your family," someone wrote.

Last month DeMelo shared another candid Instagram post opening up about her cancer story. She recounted the emotional toll of her diagnosis, as well as her physical and emotional healing journey.

"It's been a year since my neck dissection removing two saliva glands and over 25 lymph nodes," DeMelo wrote. "At the time of this surgery, we had a pretty good idea it would be cancerous, but I held out hope for that 10 per cent chance it wasn't, until four weeks later, I got the call confirming my diagnosis of adenoid cystic carcinoma."

"Cancer really does change your life," she stated. "I have a whole new outlook on what's important. Kiss your loved ones and tell them you love them every chance you get … make it weird, life is short!"

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