Rare Cancer Diagnosis Linked to Sudden Snoring: A Survivor’s Story

A mother from the U.K. faced a shocking diagnosis after developing a new symptom in her sleep. Claire Barbery, 51, began snoring for the first time ever, only to discover this was a troubling sign of a rare and potentially life-threatening cancer.

Barbery recalled her abrupt change in sleep patterns, stating, “I started snoring, which I’d never done before. I was waking myself up, breathing through my mouth rather than my nose.” Initially, Barbery attributed the nasal blockage to the lingering effects of COVID-19 or irritation from frequent testing during her work at a care facility.

As weeks passed, Barbery noticed her symptoms worsening. The relentless congestion and newfound snoring prompted her to seek medical advice, a decision she almost hesitated to make.

With an appointment looming, Barbery questioned whether she was wasting National Health Service resources. “I very nearly canceled that appointment because I didn’t want to be wasting NHS time,” she admitted, reflecting on her thoughts at the time. “There’s nothing wrong, I thought. But looking back, that decision could have cost me my life.”

Seeking Help and Getting a Diagnosis

Before seeking a specialist’s help, she attempted to manage her symptoms with a steroid spray, but her condition failed to improve. In January 2023, she was referred to an ear, nose, and throat (ENT) specialist for further evaluation.

Following a series of scans and a biopsy, doctors diagnosed Barbery with olfactory neuroblastoma, a rare cancer originating in the upper parts of the nasal cavity. The diagnosis was alarming; doctors discovered a five-centimeter tumor that had already begun eroding the bone at the base of her skull.

Urgent and Complex Surgical Intervention

The urgency was palpable as medical professionals recognized the severe danger of her situation. Barbery’s cancer required immediate and complex surgery—a challenge taken on by consultant surgeon Shahz Ahmed at Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham.

The surgical procedure, which received attention in the Channel 5 documentary titled