A survivor of tongue cancer, Brittany’s symptoms began in December 2024, when she developed a rash on her tongue along with pain and mobility issues affecting both her tongue and right ear. For four months, she was misdiagnosed, and her concerns were dismissed, at times being attributed to conditions such as shingles or infections.
Despite these setbacks, Brittany continued to advocate for herself and ultimately found an ENT specialist who took her symptoms seriously. In mid-February 2025, following an examination, she was referred for an MRI and CT scan. She was officially diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma on February 23, 2025, at the age of 37.
Brittany underwent surgery on March 2025, at IU Health under the care of Dr. Moore at Indiana University, a procedure that proved lifesaving. Unfortunately, the cancer had spread to her lymph nodes, requiring additional treatment. Following surgery, she completed a course of radiation and chemotherapy at Schwarz Cancer Center, finishing active treatment in June 2025.
As a result of her treatment, Brittany lost 70% of the right side of her tongue and all of her lymph nodes. She currently relies on a feeding tube for nutrition and participates in therapy to relearn swallowing and improve her speech.
Brittany is now actively involved in supporting others, speaking at Indiana University support groups and connecting with fellow patients. She focuses on topics such as self-image, self-care, and managing treatment side effects both during and after cancer care.
You can watch Brittany Zedaker’s The Patient Story. Her journey, “Sudden Symptoms to Survivorship: Brittany Zedaker’s Head and Neck Cancer Journey,” was also highlighted in a December 2025 blog on Thrive by IU Health
Brittany is also the creator of the Still Mouthy blog (stillmouthyatonguecancersurvivalstory.com), where she shares her experiences and remains dedicated to helping others navigate their own cancer journeys.
