One woman said she felt a “constant pressure” on her chest and was coughing, but she dismissed the signs and even blamed them on anxiety before she was given a horror diagnosis
In the UK, over 400,000 individuals receive a cancer diagnosis annually. With more than 200 different types of cancer, identifying what to watch for can prove challenging. Nevertheless, recognising cancer symptoms early can be life-saving – making it essential to consult your GP if you begin experiencing anything unusual for you.
Marlene discovered she had been suffering cancer symptoms for more than a year, but brushed off the warning signs and attributed them to grief following a recent loss. She subsequently received a stage 4 Hodgkin lymphoma diagnosis. This is an uncommon cancer that affects the lymphatic system, which comprises the network of vessels and glands throughout the body.
Using her TikTok account @marlycrocket, where she’s been documenting her experience, Marlene has urged her followers never to dismiss symptoms, and to always have them examined by a medical professional.
Marlene revealed she had been suffering symptoms for more than a year and hadn’t been “paying attention to them”.
Detailing the four primary symptoms she encountered, Marlene explained she noticed unexplained weight loss, despite no changes to her eating habits.
She also suffered night sweats, waking up “drenched” in perspiration for “no reason”.
She believed these two symptoms were connected to anxiety, as her father had died.
The third symptom she endured was irritated skin. “I would itch my skin until I was basically bleeding, but I [applied] creams and it helped, so I didn’t really pay so much attention to it,” she added.
The symptom that led to her diagnosis was a feeling of “constant pressure” on her chest, and coughing. “It was hurting quite badly and I didn’t know if it was my heart or my breast, but it ended up being my lung, Marlene explained.
After seeing a doctor, blood tests revealed “high levels of inflammation”, leading them to scan her lungs for a potential chest infection. In a follow-up video, she shared they discovered a “big mass” in her left lung.
After undergoing a PET scan and three bronchoscopies, and enduring the “worst” week-long wait of her life, it was confirmed she had Hodgkin’s lymphoma. A few days later, she was informed it was stage 4.
Cancer Research UK explains that stage 4 Hodgkin’s lymphoma indicates the lymphoma is present in the lymph nodes and an extranodal site, or the lymphoma is in more than one extranodal site.
According to Cancer Research UK, the most common symptom of Hodgkin’s lymphoma is “a painless swelling in one or more lymph nodes”. These swellings can occur anywhere on the body, but are commonly found in the neck, armpit and groin.
Other general symptoms someone might experience include:.
- Heavy sweating, particularly at night
- High temperatures that come and go without any apparent cause, often overnight
- Rapid weight loss despite a good diet
- Persistent itching that worsens after consuming alcohol
- A constant cough or breathlessness,
- Abdominal pain or swollen lymph nodes post alcohol consumption
It’s crucial to bear in mind that these symptoms could be indicative of various conditions and don’t necessarily mean you have cancer. However, it’s still vital to consult your GP if you experience any of them.