Beth Riehle, aged 36, experienced a life-changing realization in December 2023 when she discovered that the severe migraines she had been enduring were actually a symptom of stage 4 cancer. The unbearable head pain quickly intensified, spreading to her ear and jaw. She also noticed fatigue and changes in tongue color. At that time, Riehle, who initially dismissed feeling unwell yet not necessarily sick, was initially linked by doctors to symptoms of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) issues. However, a biopsy conducted in March 2024 revealed stage 4 squamous cell carcinoma (tongue cancer) on her tongue. The diagnosis of this cancer type at a young age left the medical community surprised, with experts attributing the rise in head and neck cancers to factors such as HPV (Human Papillomavirus), alcohol consumption, and obesity.

In her statement, Riehle expressed feeling isolated by having a cancer that most people her age do not get. During the cancer treatment process, along with chemotherapy, she needed to have 80% of her tongue removed. Emphasizing the importance of eating, speaking, and even breathing, Riehle stated that she had to relearn these functions. According to data from the American Cancer Society, oral and oropharyngeal cancers affect around 60,000 Americans annually, leading to 13,000 deaths. However, the incidence of these types of cancers in young patients, like Riehle, is increasing. The rise in head and neck cancers is directly linked to increasing HPV rates.

Although Beth Riehle faced challenging moments during her treatment, she persevered. Following an unsuccessful treatment process, a CT scan in September 2024 revealed the cancer had returned, with the appearance of a second tumor. In December, she underwent a glossectomy surgery involving the partial or full removal of her tongue. In a 12-hour operation, 80% of her tongue and 75 lymph nodes were removed. Riehle mentioned that her fiancé Donald proposed to her on the day of the surgery, turning what she described as one of the worst days of her life into one of the most memorable. While she has overcome cancer, Riehle, who suffered significant bodily damage, struggles to fully open her mouth and develops painful sores. She is undergoing therapy to improve her speech and swallowing abilities.