April is Head and Neck Cancer Awareness Month

By Pamela Tom | HPVANDME Founder

In November 2024, runners in the famous New York City Marathon sprinted 26 miles from Staten Island through Brooklyn, Queens, and the Bronx—culminating in Manhattan’s iconic Central Park. Of the 55-thousand runners who completed the race, 51 year-old Levi Waldron’s accomplishment had to be one of the sweetest sights seen crossing the finish line. 

Waldron is a survivor of HPV-related squamous cell carcinoma in his throat/base of tongue. The average age of males with HPV-associated oropharyngeal cancers is 63, according to the CDC. At 45 when diagnosed in 2019, Waldron had an edge. His age and active lifestyle likely contributed to his successful recovery.

But that doesn’t mean it was easy. 

Documenting His Cancer Journey

In his Caring Bridge blog, Waldron describes his cancer journey over three and a half years. As a professor and public health data scientist, Waldron sat in a unique position to research and analyze his diagnosis, and treatment options. His insights provide a detailed, play-by-play and day-by-day review that may help provide answers to common questions. 

“My treatment team at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC) tells me I have a 90% chance and probably better of long-term cure,” writes Waldron. “That puts me in a better frame of mind to think and write critically about my experience of this disease.”

First, the MRI showed lesions.

“Really scared. Wondering where the primary lesion is or even whether it might be occult (can’t be found), how extensive the metastasis is, having no idea what my prospects are …”

Second, he learned he had cancer.

“Somewhat relieved, that at least the probable primary lesion is identified and there is no evidence of distant metastasis. Still quite unsure about my prognosis. But no more question that I have cancer after these PET/CT results.”

For the next week, Waldron toiled with the treatment options. His medical team supported a “de-escalation” clinical trial. These trials aim to reduce the intensity of more harsher treatment and minimize side effects. Waldron made a different choice.

“I made a decision on Apr 1 to go with a standard of care with radiation and chemotherapy without surgery, and it was a relief just to be decided.” 

Coming Back Post-Treatment

Unlike many throat cancer patients who must remain on a feeding tube after treatment, Waldron began eating solid foods within a few days of his last treatment.

“For breakfast I had my usual granola, soy milk, and yogurt. For lunch I tried something new – Campbell’s tomato soup with ramen noodles and tofu, and I liked it! For dinner I tried an old favorite, but something I hadn’t dared yet since treatment: celery with peanut butter. I also like and ate it easily, which was a great surprise.”

Phlegm, fatigue, and altered tastes persisted. Three months out, Waldron made it off the meds. 

“Today was my *first day free of prescription drugs* since starting treatment. I was down to one 300mg Gabapentin pill per day for the last three days, until yesterday. It feels hard to believe.Taking all my medications has taken so much attention …”

Before that, about a month after his last treatment, Waldron and his future wife, Barbara, did manage to take a much needed vacation to the British Virgin Islands.

“During treatment, home was my safe place that had everything I needed: all my medications, the foods or meal replacements I could eat, where I could spit in a cup or the sink any time I needed to, and be close enough to the hospital if needed. To be so far from home in an exotic, unfamiliar environment with few of my usual foods available, and to be able to enjoy the environment and even the food was a great luxury.”

Always Teaching

At the Waldron Lab at City University of New York, Waldron teaches biostatistics and leads cancer genomics research. 

“I have a long-standing interest in developing methods for and testing hypotheses using cancer genomics data. These efforts have resulted in greater understanding of the role of gene expression in defining disease subtypes and patient outcomes in high-grade serous ovarian carcinoma, colorectal cancer, and other cancers, “ according to his lab’s website. 

When Levi Waldron shared his story with HPVANDME, we knew this academic professional wanted to share the lessons he had learned from being the cancer patient. He is also using his voice to help eliminate the HPV stigma and to advocate for the HPV vaccine as cancer prevention.