Sometimes life has a cruel sense of timing. Just as Mark Sevillano Jr., a 41-year-old dad from Santa Fe Springs, California, decided to turn his life around with healthier habits, he got hit with news that changed everything: he had esophageal cancer.
Mark had just come out of a rough few years—his marriage ended in 2021, and he was juggling life as a single dad while finishing his teaching degree. By early 2024, he felt like things were finally settling down. He hit the gym three times a week, ate healthier meals, and started feeling better than ever.
But then, something unusual happened.
When Healthy Changes Didn’t Add Up
Mark noticed that swallowing food didn’t feel right. At first, drinking water would help wash it down, but after two months, his symptoms worsened. Thinking it was nothing major, he visited a doctor.
Surprisingly, his doctor wasn’t too concerned. Since Mark was young and had no family history of cancer, the doctor brushed it off and only scheduled a swallow test “for the future.”
That decision nearly cost him.
Mark Sevillano opted for a healthier lifestyle before he ran into issues (Mark Sevillano Jr. via Today)
Before the test could happen, Mark’s symptoms escalated to the point where he couldn’t even swallow liquids. Feeling like his throat was a “clogged drain,” he rushed to the ER—where tests finally revealed the shocking truth: esophageal cancer.
Related Posts
“I would have never imagined I had cancer,” Mark told Today.com. “I’ve never even said the word ‘esophagus.’ It wasn’t on my radar at all.”
The Road to Recovery
Doctors discovered a strawberry-sized tumor and performed intense surgery in October. They removed six inches of his esophagus (which is only about ten inches long in total) and reconstructed it using part of his upper intestine.
Sevillano is now cancer free and will have regular scans (Mark Sevillano Jr. via Today)
Mark also underwent rounds of chemotherapy. Thanks to early intervention at that critical point, he’s now cancer-free, though he’ll continue with regular scans for the next five years.
Why His Story Matters
Mark’s experience is a powerful reminder: don’t ignore unusual symptoms. Difficulty swallowing, unexplained weight loss, or digestive issues might seem harmless at first—but they can be early red flags of something serious.
Esophageal cancer is rare but often diagnosed late, making early detection crucial. If something feels off, push for answers. Doctors are human, but you know your body best.
Today, Mark is embracing life again—stronger, healthier, and far more aware of how precious time really is.
👉 Learn more about esophageal cancer symptoms and risk factors (American Cancer Society).
👉 Read Mark’s full story on Today.com.
