TikTok star Dominique McShain dead at 21 amid cancer surge in the young
A popular TikTok star has lost her battle with a cancer not commonly associated with young people as its rates rise in lower age groups.
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A young New Zealand woman who bravely documented her bowel cancer journey after being told she had just years to live has tragically died at just 21.
Dominique McShain was only 20 years old when she discovered she had “incurable” colorectal cancer that had spread to her liver in April 2024.
The young Christchurch woman, who was studying to be a psychologist before her life was derailed by her diagnosis, had courageously documented her treatment, and amassed almost 200,000 followers on TikTok.
But despite being told she had between one and five years to live, Ms McShain’s condition quickly deteriorated, and according to People she recently passed away.
On April 6, Ms McShain shared a “final update”, telling followers she was nearing the end of her life.
“I have recently been given a prognosis about 5 days ago of only a few days to a few weeks to live,” she wrote.
“My liver is rapidly failing to the point of jaundice and the cancer is progressing quickly.”
Because of the state of her condition, she said she was no longer able to receive treatment and had transitioned to “end-of-life care”.
“My life may be short, but I genuinely think I’ve squeezed every bit out of it,” she continued.
“I won the lottery with a family that loves me unconditionally, friends who would 10000 per cent donate a liver to me or do anything they could (and probably argue over who gets to do it).
“And the sweetest husband Sean who has been my rock through everything – before and after diagnosis.”
Bowel cancer affects about 15,000 Aussies every year.
The condition has long been associated with older adults, especially people over 65. However, rates among adults under 50 have been steadily increasing since the 90s.
Alarmingly, this younger demographic tends to be diagnosed in the disease’s later stages, making it harder to treat and cure.
Ms McShain’s diagnosis in 2024 came after she experienced constipation, blood in her stool and extended periods of fatigue.
In a video shared on TikTok that has been viewed over 5 million times shortly after her diagnosis, Ms McShain said she had given up her psychology studies to fight the cancer, despite her terminal diagnosis.
“I was going to be a clinical psychologist up until two weeks ago,” she said. “But I’m a third year student and that would take another five years to study for, but my doctor said I have 1 to five years to live.”
She married her husband Sean on July 12, 2024 after the pair had got engaged on her 21st birthday, one month after she was diagnosed with cancer.
Fans have since flooded her social media account with condolences and messages of grief.
“I’m sobbing watching your videos. Rest in paradise queen,” one said.
“I don’t know you but I’m devastated for you,” another wrote.
As another shared: “Thank you for being so brave and sharing your story.”
Originally published as TikTok star Dominique McShain dead at 21 amid cancer surge in the young
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