A student who had a lump on her neck for two years was finally diagnosed with cancer after initially being dismissed by doctors as having 'teenage problems'. Georgia Kennedy, 21, battled extreme tiredness and a persistent cough before being diagnosed with lymphoma.
Now, the Peterborough resident is advocating for greater awareness of cancer signs among young people after previously being told her symptoms were 'nothing to worry about'. After undergoing six cycles of chemotherapy, Georgia received the all clear in May 2023, reports Surrey Live.
The trampoline gymnast and coach experienced fatigue since she was 15 and admits she put her health concerns on hold. "I was a tired teenager compared to my friends," she explained.
"I'd stopped all my sports because of it and cut down on activities, but when Covid hit I put the issue on the back burner. When I was diagnosed it made sense. I had tiredness since I was about 15. I never had an X-ray taken, I had ECGs, echoes, stress tests, sleep studies. I thought I had narcolepsy."
Georgia recounted how her complaints were brushed off. "I was told it was 'teenage problems' and that I'd get over it."
In October 2022, a cough prompted her visit to the hospital, which led to her Hodgkin lymphoma diagnosis. Reflecting on those days she said: "I thought my cough was seasonal so ignored it for a few weeks, but I wasn't improving so I made a GP appointment.
"They looked at my notes, saw that I had asthma when I was younger and told me to use inhalers for a few weeks." Georgia, endured an agonising wait for cancer diagnosis.
She recounted her harrowing experience: "It was getting worse so a few weeks later I rang them again and they asked me how I'd like to proceed. I was only 19 and had no idea. I ended up having an X-ray a few days later. They said it looked abnormal but that it was nothing urgent and I'd have a CT after Christmas."
As her breathing difficulties escalated just before Christmas during an emergency visit, Georgia described the numbing revelation. "A nurse said it could be an infection, but it's most likely cancer. I hadn't even registered cancer as an option so I thought that can't be right," she said.
The stark reality hit her hard, as she recalled: "I remember having tunnel vision, I couldn't really hear anyone, and it was like my senses were gone. I just sat there thinking this can't be happening. When I developed the cough, I did have a lump on my neck that I didn't notice."
Reflecting on missed red flags, she added: "Now when I look back at photos, I can see the lump from maybe two years before I was diagnosed. But because it was so small and grew so gradually, I didn't ever say anything about it."
Teenage Cancer Trust stats reveal a worrying gap in awareness, with only 17% of teens knowing key cancer signs. Georgia pointed out: "You hear to check for lumps and bumps in your breasts, but you're never told to check anywhere else like your neck or lymph nodes, so you wouldn't."
A teacher is urging increased awareness after initially attributing 'odd' symptoms to the menopause, not realising they were indicative of leukaemia. "I'd also lost about 10 kilos from summer to that Christmas and again, didn't notice.
"I feel like I'm partly to blame because I didn't notice a lot of these things and I think my mum feels a bit of guilt about that too. But you never think it's going to be cancer and the symptoms can be over a longer period of time than you think."
Georgia faced a challenging battle with what was suspected to be Hodgkin lymphoma, undergoing six cycles of chemotherapy before finally being declared cancer-free in May 2023. Post-recovery, she embraced life fully by travelling and is currently pursuing her passion for drama at Manchester University. .
Teenage Cancer Trust Chief Nurse Louise Soanes emphasised the importance of body awareness: "It's so important to know your own body to be able to spot any changes. Although cancer in young people is rare, it does happen, so it's really important that young people know the most common signs."
What is lymphoma?
The NHS sheds light on non-Hodgkin lymphoma, a type of cancer that originates in the lymphatic system, which forms part of the immune network through a synthesis of vessels and glands across the body. This system circulates a fluid called lymph containing lymphocytes, white blood cells that battle infection.
In cases of non-Hodgkin lymphoma, these lymphocytes begin to multiply abnormally and accumulate within the lymphatic system, frequently in lymph nodes. Meanwhile, Hodgkin lymphoma, an uncommon cancer, occurs when B-lymphocytes (a specific type of lymphocyte) start to multiply abnormally and accumulate in certain parts of the lymphatic system, such as the lymph nodes.
The affected lymphocytes lose their ability to fight infection, making you more susceptible to illness. Hodgkin lymphoma can develop at any age, but it predominantly affects individuals between 20 and 40 years old and those over 75.
It slightly affects more men than women. Around 2,100 people are diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma in the UK each year.
Besides a lump on the neck, armpit or groin, some people with Hodgkin lymphoma may also have other more general symptoms. These can include: night sweats, unintentional weight loss, a high temperature (fever), a persistent cough or feeling of breathlessness and persistent itching of the skin all over the body.
Five common cancer signs in young people include:
- Lumps, bumps and swellings
- Unexplained tiredness
- Mole changes
- Persistent pain
- Unexplained weight change
Other signs may include:
- Unexplained bleeding
- Easy bruising
- Fever or illness that doesn't go away
- Frequent headaches, often with vomiting
- Sudden eye or vision changes
- Changes in bowel habits
- Breathlessness
- Cough or hoarseness that lasts for more than three weeks
If you have any of these symptoms, particularly if they persist or you can't explain them, you should schedule an appointment with your doctor.
Most common cancers in young adults:
According to the American Cancer Society, the types of cancers seen in young adults (ages 20 to 39) are not unique to this age group, but the most common types in this age range are largely different from those in children or older adults.
Some of the most common cancers in young adults are:
- Breast cancer
- Lymphomas (non-Hodgkin and Hodgkin)
- Melanoma
- Sarcomas (cancers of connective tissues like muscles and bones)
- Cancers of the female genital tract (cervix and ovary)
- Thyroid cancer
- Testicular cancer
- Colorectal cancer
- Brain and spinal cord tumours