DJ Nicole Hyala stays strong amid throat cancer diagnosis

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Radio personality Emmylou Gaite-Tiñana, better known as DJ Nicole Hyala, has revealed that she has been diagnosed with thyroid cancer. 

In an Instagram post on Tuesday, Gaite-Tiñana broke the news to her followers, writing, “So… I just found out I have thyroid cancer. And surprisingly, I am calm. But before you panic, according to experts, thyroid cancer is often called the ‘friendliest’ cancer.” 

Radio personality Emmylou Gaite-Tiñana, better known as DJ Nicole Hyala PHOTO FROM INSTAGRAM/NICOLEHYALA

“And that’s good, because I’ve already been through worse. I’ve faced battles that broke me, seasons that nearly crushed me. But here I am — still standing, still smiling, still shining. :) I’ve survived storms that could’ve drowned me, and this is just another wave I know I can ride, with God beside me,” she added. 

Gaite-Tiñana has long been a mainstay at 90.7 Love Radio. Beyond her radio work, she is also a content creator, podcaster, influencer, and brand endorser. 

In a recent interview for Mayet Dela Rosa Fine Jewelry, where she serves as brand ambassador, she opened up further about her diagnosis and the journey ahead. 

“It’s like God really knows how to cushion the blow because I found out about it while I was filming branded content at a car repair shop. So imagine — there was a lot of noise, the doctor’s voice was choppy, so when he said ‘carcinoma,’ it didn’t land too hard. I felt like God really softened it for me… I don’t feel unwell. I’m asymptomatic, so if I didn’t get a checkup, I wouldn’t have known,” she shared. 

She added, “I’m not the healthiest person, but now I can really say — prevention is better than cure.” 

Gaite-Tiñana said she didn’t cry upon learning the news. 

“I told myself, I think I’ve already been through so much that this is just another one of those uncharted waters... I felt embarrassed to even feel scared because I’ve been through worse,” she admitted. 

She recalled a major family ordeal in 2021, when her daughter, Princess, was diagnosed with viral meningoencephalitis. 

“That was more serious. Thyroid cancer has a better prognosis. If we got through that trial, this one should be easier,” she said. 

Gaite-Tiñana explained that a migraine prompted her to seek consultation in 2023. 

“I had an MRI done in 2023, and since the throat area also gets captured during the scan, they found nodules, but they were benign,” she said. 

“Then in January this year, I had a regular executive check-up, and they saw the nodules had grown. I had another biopsy — and that’s when it came out as carcinoma,” she continued. 

She is scheduled to undergo a full thyroidectomy in July, followed by radioactive iodine therapy. 

“In about four months, I’ll be undergoing radioactive iodine therapy. That’s the part I’m most anxious about — because I won’t be allowed to talk to anyone for three days. As an extrovert and an overthinker, that’s what makes me most nervous,” she said laughing. 

“But what gives me assurance is that the first thing they’ll do is to identify the location of my vocal cords, because I want to preserve my voice. There’s a risk, but it’s just one percent,” she said. 

“But God has always been with me through every trial, and maybe this is just another one I need to face. I will overcome this,” she added. 

While the exact cause of her condition remains unknown, Gaite-Tiñana stressed the importance of regular health checks. 

“They say it could be genetic, or it could be due to lifestyle. I wouldn’t know. But I feel like even if I knew, it’s already here. So the best thing is get yourself checked,” she advised. 

Drawing strength from her past experiences, Gaite-Tiñana offered words of encouragement to others battling health issues or personal struggles. 

“Stay beautiful through it all. I’ve talked to so many people even before this, not knowing I’d one day face the Big C myself. Often, the real enemy is when the person gives up. But me — I’m committed to overcoming this. I won’t let it overcome me. My youngest is only six years old, I have so much left to do, and I still want to entertain so many people. I have a long way to go. So yes, I will overcome this,” she said.