Woman Notices Ear Didn’t Pop After Flight, Leads to Horrifying Diagnosis

A 22-year-old woman from Hemet, California, named Aida Burkins, experienced a shocking diagnosis after a flight to Chicago in May 2025. Initially, she noticed her ear wouldn't pop after the flight, but it worsened rapidly. Burkins started bleeding into her throat and nose, her hearing deteriorated, and she felt tired and lost weight.

Doctors initially attributed her symptoms to altitude sickness, but her condition persisted. After several months, a mass was discovered in her Eustachian tube, leading to an ENT specialist referral. A biopsy revealed she had nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC), a rare head and neck cancer. Symptoms of NPC include nasal congestion, hearing loss, ear blockage, ear ringing, swollen lymph nodes, headaches, and facial pain.

NPC is strongly associated with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection, genetic factors, and environmental exposures. It's rare in the U.S., with fewer than one case per 100,000 people annually. Burkins is currently undergoing chemotherapy and radiation therapy, and her prognosis is generally positive. She hopes her story will raise awareness about the disease, emphasizing that cancer doesn't discriminate and that she remains focused on fighting it while cherishing her young children.