Clara Cirks, 30, from Iowa, US, was diagnosed with a deadly disease after struggling through months of unexplained health problems, which she put down to a running injury
A woman who thought she had simply sustained an injury whilst running was devastated to learn she actually had stage 4 cancer.
Clara Cirks was given the shocking diagnosis after reporting months of unexplained health problems.
Clara, 30, visited her doctor with a series of worsening symptoms including fatigue, vomiting, lightheadedness and fainting spells.
What was initially thought to be a herniated disc in her spine was eventually revealed to be stage 4 adenocarcinoma – an aggressive form of lung cancer.
“I was absolutely devastated,” Clara said. “I was okay with the cancer being in my body from the neck down but when they told me it had spread to my brain as well, it shattered me. I thought, this is it, I’m going to die.”
She explained that, whilst the herniated disc was a genuine injury, the severe bone and joint pain surrounding it was attributed to cancer that had spread.
Clara added: “My family has been an incredible support system to lean on. My mom, dad, brother, as well as multiple aunts and uncles and cousins have been extremely supportive and reliable to assist me.”
As doctors initially thought Clara had a herniated disc, she was treated with physiotherapy, chiropractic sessions and steroid injections.
But when nothing worked, further tests were carried out. An MRI revealed weakened bone marrow activity, leading doctors to conduct urgent blood tests.
These tests showed Clara was suffering from severe anaemia – her blood didn’t have enough healthy red cells to transport oxygen around her body.
The former graphic designer had also previously noticed a lump on her breast and swollen lymph nodes in her neck. At the time, Clara brushed it off, attributing her symptoms to her ongoing back problems.
However, her condition took a horrifying turn when she started vomiting uncontrollably and was rushed to A&E. Scans in January 2025 disclosed that the cancer had spread to multiple organs, including her breast, lymph nodes, pelvis, bones, liver and brain.
She explained: “My prognosis is optimistic – given I was prior mostly healthy and because I am so young, my oncology team has faith for me to live for years to come.
“I know that the survival rate for Stage 4 Lung Cancer is only 9% – making it past five years beyond their diagnosis – however, I plan to be a part of that 9%.”
Clara, hailing from Dallas Center, Iowa, has undergone five rounds of whole brain radiation, six cycles of chemotherapy and now faces a lifetime on immunotherapy treatment to keep the disease at bay.
Her treatment hasn’t been without complications. She developed life-threatening sepsis during chemotherapy, spending days in intensive care and weeks in hospital.
Despite her ordeal, Clara is firmly defying the odds. She declared: “I used to live in fear every day that it was my last.
“I was so scared of dying and felt like it was inevitable in the near future.
“However, once I saw scan results that showed treatment was working, it gave me hope and optimism I didn’t have previously.
“I no longer think I’m going to die soon – I have faith I can make it to five years at least.”
Previously a fitness fanatic, Clara has been compelled to replace running with gentler activities such as yoga and cycling whilst she continues her recovery.
She now resides with her dad, who assists in caring for her, and has discovered new meaning in raising awareness, hoping to use her experience to campaign for early diagnosis and cancer research.
Whilst her life has been transformed beyond recognition, Clara is facing the future with optimism – with aspirations of skydiving, beach holidays and even getting a dog.
She added: “I had so many health issues in 2024 and I wish I would’ve pieced it together more. I wish I would’ve seen my primary care doctor way before I finally did.
“I remember thinking how I had so many issues I wanted to address that I didn’t want to be annoying in asking all the questions.
“I’m glad I stood up for myself and advocated for addressing all the problems I had. I would say – you know what is normal for your body.
“So if something is off, or continues to be off, speak up. I was so scared of being ‘annoying’ and bringing a list of issues to discuss with my primary care provider.
“But at the end of the day, I’m glad I said something – said all of it – because it raised red flags that got the process started for diagnosing me.”