Woman reveals 3 overlooked symptoms before her stage 4 cancer diagnosis at 28

Raising Awareness About Hodgkin Lymphoma

Georgie Swallow, a London-based content producer, shares her journey to spotlight Hodgkin lymphoma, a cancer affecting the lymphatic system. By discussing the symptoms she ignored, Georgie hopes to educate others about the importance of early detection.
A Diagnosis That Changed Everything

At just 28, Georgie was diagnosed with stage 4 Hodgkin lymphoma. Unfortunately, the treatment caused early menopause, leaving her unable to have children naturally.

Ignored Symptoms and Misplaced Assumptions

When symptoms first appeared, Georgie attributed them to stress and hesitated to see a doctor, thinking it would be “a waste of time.” Even when she noticed a lump on her neck, she believed it wasn’t serious.

The Symptoms She Overlooked

The illness impacted her mental and physical health. Before her diagnosis, Georgie suffered from three main symptoms:

Itchy Legs: She often scratched her legs until her skin broke, disrupting her sleep.
Night Sweats: Severe sweating kept her uncomfortable at night.
Constant Fatigue: She felt drained and battled frequent colds and flus.
“I thought I was just overworking myself,” she explained. Despite visiting a doctor, initial suggestions like stress or allergies didn’t resolve her issues.

The Late Discovery of Cancer

Georgie emphasized that these mild symptoms can often be dismissed, leading to late diagnoses.

The Emotional Toll of Early Menopause

The treatment-induced early menopause felt like “being hit by a bus,” Georgie said. Losing her fertility before having children was particularly difficult.

The menopause at any age is hard, but at 28, I had no peers who understood,” she shared. Despite her friends’ support, she felt isolated in her experience.

Spreading Awareness

Now 32, Georgie courageously shares her story to encourage timely doctor visits and raise awareness about Hodgkin lymphoma. She also highlights the mental health struggles linked to early menopause.


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