Influencer Dominique McShain Dies Weeks After Final Cancer Update

The TikToker took her followers along on her journey to raise awareness about colorectal cancer. Doctors had given her one to five years to live.

Dominique McShain has died of incurable colorectal cancer, People confirms. The 21-year-old, who was based in New Zealand, received her terminal diagnosis in April 2024.

She began documenting her journey on social media, starting with a TikTok video in which she shared her diagnosis on March 5, 2024. She revealed the cancer had metastasized to her liver.

The influencer said she was making the video because, at her core, all she ever wanted was to help people. That’s why she had been studying psychology.

"I was, until two weeks ago, a third-year psychology student, and I wanted to do clinical psychology eventually,” she shared at the time. McShain had also been working part-time in HR. However, because of her diagnosis, her studies and work came to a halt.

Still, she wanted to make a difference and leave something behind by sharing her journey—especially with colorectal cancer becoming more common among the youth.

On April 6 this year, McShain shared her final update on Instagram. “I want to be direct with you all: this will be my final update on my cancer journey until I have passed away,” she wrote.

At that point, McShain had been given days to a few weeks to live. Her liver was failing rapidly, the cancer was spreading quickly, and she was no longer able to receive treatment. She had transitioned to end-of-life care.

Although her life was short, McShain made sure to make the most of it, surrounded by the unconditional love of her family and friends. She got married, moved to a new city to follow her passions, and traveled whenever she could.

She may not have gotten the chance to fulfil all the other milestones she hoped for, but she “found peace in knowing there’s something more” waiting for her on the other side.