Being diagnosed with stage 4 cancer is something no one wants for themselves or their loved ones. That’s why regular checkups are important.
But aside from scheduled health screenings, self-checks matter too. Paying attention to small changes in the body can help catch problems early.
A UK-based content creator, Georgie Swallow, is using her platform to raise awareness about Hodgkin lymphoma. This type of cancer affects the lymphatic system, which is part of the immune system. She shares her experience to help others recognize warning signs.
Swallow was diagnosed at 28. Her cancer treatment caused early menopause, something she hadn’t expected to deal with so young.
She ignored her symptoms at first, assuming they were caused by stress. She even thought going to the doctor would be a waste of time.
One of the biggest warning signs was a lump on the side of her neck. But she brushed it off, not realizing it was something serious.
Now 32, Swallow says cancer didn’t just affect her physically—it also had a big impact on her mental health. She had three key symptoms that she overlooked: itchy legs, night sweats, and constant fatigue.
“I would itch until my skin broke, and it kept me awake all night,” she shared. “The doctor thought it was stress, allergies, or a skin condition, but no cream or lifestyle change helped.”
She was also losing weight, feeling drained all the time, and getting sick frequently. But she assumed it was just because she was overworking herself.
Swallow wants people to take these symptoms seriously. Many people dismiss them, thinking they’re unimportant, but that could lead to a late diagnosis.
One of the hardest parts of her journey was going into early menopause.
“Cancer takes a lot from you, but losing my fertility before I had children was really tough,” she said.
“At 28, I didn’t have anyone my age to talk to about menopause. My friends were supportive, but they couldn’t fully understand.”
Now, she hopes to help others recognize these symptoms early, so they don’t have to go through the same experience.