Shirley Chung, the acclaimed Top Chef alum, has revealed her battle with stage 4 tongue cancer after doctors discovered a tumor under her tongue earlier this year. The diagnosis followed a series of dental issues that began in December.
In a heartfelt Instagram post on July 26, Chung, known for her resilience and calm under pressure, shared the news with her followers. “I was very calm when doctors delivered the news,” she wrote. “As a chef, I’ve always thrived under pressure. I was extremely focused on getting all the tests and scans as fast as possible, so I can start on the treatment plans.”
Chung faced a tough decision regarding her treatment: she could either undergo surgery to remove her tongue or pursue an experimental treatment in Chicago involving radiation and chemotherapy. The latter option had shown promising results in a rare case, but the surgery would mean losing her tongue.
“Higher survival rate, or keep my tongue?” she questioned. “I chose to keep my tongue. I am a fighter, I am a chef, I can be that unicorn too.”
Chung is currently undergoing chemotherapy and radiation, determined to fight her cancer while retaining her ability to speak and eat.
Her bravery and choice to continue her culinary journey in the face of such a challenging diagnosis have inspired many.
