Young Woman's Cancer Fears Initially Dismissed by Medical Professionals
A 25-year-old woman from Birmingham has revealed how her concerns about potential cancer symptoms were initially laughed off by a GP, only to later receive a diagnosis of Hodgkin lymphoma at just 24 years old. Kelly Underwood's experience highlights critical issues around patient advocacy and early diagnosis in the UK's healthcare system.
Months of Unexplained Symptoms and Frustration
Kelly first began experiencing concerning symptoms in February 2025, including persistent lethargy, sore eyes, and unusual rashes on her knuckles. By June that year, she noticed a distinct lump in her neck, prompting her partner Olivia Read, 28, to encourage her to seek medical advice. A GP confirmed the presence of a swollen lymph node but could not determine its cause, suggesting Kelly monitor the situation for a week and return if her condition failed to improve.
Over the following three months, Kelly visited her GP surgery six separate times, encountering a series of medical professionals who remained unable to diagnose her condition. The situation reached a point of significant frustration during one appointment attended by Kelly's mother, who directly challenged the medical team about the repeated visits without resolution.
The Turning Point and Devastating Diagnosis
The breakthrough came when a doctor reviewed Kelly's blood results from the previous five years, noting abnormal patterns including low iron levels and raised inflammatory markers. This prompted Kelly and Olivia to research her symptoms online, leading Kelly to ask a doctor whether cancer could be a possibility. "They laughed at us and said there was no way it was cancer," Kelly recalled, noting that she initially felt reassured by this dismissal.
Despite this reassurance, doctors eventually referred Kelly for a biopsy, CT scan, and ultrasound as her symptoms worsened, with increasingly bloodshot eyes, growing fatigue, and the neck lump becoming more prominent. On September 8, 2025, Kelly attended a follow-up appointment with Olivia, where the doctor delivered the devastating news: "I'm really sorry to tell you but you've got cancer."
Kelly described the moment as surreal, initially believing she had misheard the diagnosis before bursting into tears. The couple left the appointment feeling terrified and uncertain, with the doctor unable to provide immediate details about treatment options or prognosis. "We came out of that appointment really upset and thinking that I was going to die at 24," Kelly admitted.
Treatment Journey and Emotional Support
Further investigation confirmed the diagnosis as classic Hodgkin lymphoma, a cancer with generally good prognosis, particularly for young, fit patients like Kelly. Medical teams at Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham prepared an intensive treatment regime, expressing concern about a lymph node potentially obstructing her breathing.
Kelly's treatment involved escalated BEACOPDac chemotherapy administered in 21-day cycles, beginning in late September 2025. This was accompanied by filgrastim injections to stimulate white blood cell production and steroids, totaling six rounds of treatment. Side effects included significant hair loss after the first round, bone marrow pain from injections, periods of immobility, and what Kelly described as a "rollercoaster" of mental health challenges.
Throughout this difficult period, Olivia provided constant support, with the couple sharing emotional proposal moments despite the circumstances. Kelly proposed at a Costa drive-through after receiving her hospital admission call, while Olivia reciprocated with a romantic trail-lit proposal in Sutton Park during October.
Charity Support and Looking Forward
The Teenage Cancer Trust played a crucial role in Kelly's journey, with youth support coordinator Cathy providing distraction during chemotherapy sessions through card games and conversations, while remaining available for support calls. The charity specifically supports individuals aged 13 to 24 diagnosed with cancer, along with their loved ones.
Kelly completed her final round of chemotherapy on January 14, 2026, and now awaits a PET scan scheduled for late February to check for remaining cancer cells. An appointment in early March may provide the all-clear she desperately hopes for. The couple plans a low-key engagement celebration at their local pub followed by a wedding within two years.
Important Lessons About Health Advocacy
Reflecting on her experience, Kelly emphasized several crucial takeaways for others. "You get told about checking your boobs, but you don't get told about checking your neck," she noted, highlighting the importance of awareness about lymphoma symptoms. She also stressed the necessity of self-advocacy within medical settings when patients feel their concerns aren't being properly addressed.
"We all think that it's never going to be us, but it could be," Kelly concluded, underscoring the unpredictable nature of serious illness and the importance of persistent medical investigation when symptoms persist unexplained.
