In the UK, over 400,000 individuals receive a cancer diagnosis annually. With more than 200 different forms of cancer, identifying warning signs 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 dismissed the warning signs and attributed them to grief following a recent loss.
She subsequently received a diagnosis of stage 4 Hodgkin lymphoma. This represents an uncommon cancer which develops within the lymphatic system – the network of vessels and glands throughout the body.
Using her TikTok account @marlycrocket, where she documents her experience, Marlene has urged her followers never to disregard symptoms and always seek medical examination.
Marlene revealed she had been experiencing symptoms for over a year without “paying attention to them”.
Detailing the four primary symptoms she encountered, Marlene explained she noticed unexplained weight loss, despite no changes to her diet.
She also suffered night sweats, waking up “drenched” in perspiration for “no reason”.
She attributed these two symptoms to anxiety following her father’s death.
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.When she saw a doctor, she had some blood tests which showed ” Marlene explained.
Upon seeing a doctor, she underwent some blood tests which revealed “high levels of inflammation”, leading them to conduct a scan of her lungs to check for a chest infection. In a subsequent video, she disclosed they discovered a “big mass” inside her left lung.
After a PET scan and three bronchoscopies, and a week’s wait which was the “worst” in 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.
Symptoms of Hodgkin’s lymphoma
Cancer Research UK states that the most common symptom of Hodgkin’s lymphoma is “a painless swelling in one or more lymph nodes”. This can occur in any area of the body, but common areas include the neck, armpit and groin.
Other general symptoms someone might experience are:
- heavy sweating, particularly at night
- high temperatures that come and go without any apparent cause, often overnight
- rapid weight loss despite maintaining a good diet
- persistent itching that may worsen after consuming alcohol
- a constant cough or difficulty in breathing
- 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.