Photo: Facebook
TikTok star Rachel Yaffe has passed away at the age of 27, following a courageous seven-year fight against liver cancer. The Maryland-based social media personality died on October 11, just days after her final heartbreaking post. In her last update, she shared her struggle with weakness and a lack of appetite, though she remained positive about her journey. Rachel had been open about her battle with cancer, using her TikTok platform to document her experiences and inspire others, according to The Express.
In September, Rachel candidly discussed the physical toll of radiation therapy. “I lost so much of my strength when I was getting radiation, and I’m starting from day one,” she revealed. “It’s been so hard for me to get up and force myself to move, so I’m working on doing that.” She also shared how challenging it was to stick to her strict cancer-healing diet, explaining that her low appetite made the process even more difficult. Despite these hardships, she prioritized her mental health, saying, “I’m working on focusing on the small things that bring me joy. I’m really, really, really prioritizing my mental health as well.”
Rachel’s cancer journey began in her late teens when she suspected she had a gluten intolerance. However, after consulting with doctors, a 20cm tumor was discovered in her liver, leading to the diagnosis of fibrolamellar hepatocellular carcinoma, a rare form of cancer that primarily affects adolescents and young adults without a history of liver disease. After being diagnosed with stage four fibrolamellar cancer, she immediately underwent surgery to remove the tumor. Sadly, the cancer returned in both her liver and lungs within a few months.
Rachel moved to New York in September 2023, seeking both medical care and proximity to her sister. Earlier in the year, she faced a significant setback when a tumor caused her lung to hemorrhage, putting pressure on her heart. After emergency operations, she began radiation and immunotherapy treatments in a bid to shrink the tumor. By June, she had mixed results from her scans, with some tumors appearing stable, but one in her abdomen causing concern, leading to proton therapy. told by The Sun.
Rachel spent time recovering at her parents’ home in Baltimore before returning to New York in August, where she continued her fight. Sadly, despite her determination, she passed away, leaving behind a legacy of courage and hope through her candid documentation of her battle.
