Young Woman's Cancer Initially Dismissed as Pulled Muscle Before Devastating Phone Diagnosis
A 22-year-old woman from Durham has revealed how her aggressive cancer was repeatedly misdiagnosed as a pulled muscle or anxiety, culminating in a stage 4 Hodgkin's lymphoma diagnosis delivered over the phone while she was at work. Emma Herring, an optical assistant, endured months of chest pains starting in April last year, only to have her symptoms brushed off by medical professionals who cited her youth as a reason to discount serious illness.
Symptoms Ignored and Misattributed to Minor Issues
Emma first sought help from her GP, where a nurse practitioner suggested her chest pains were likely due to anxiety. When her condition did not improve by May, she called NHS 111 and was advised to visit A&E for an ECG. However, no ECG was performed, and a GP later told her she had probably pulled a muscle during a panic attack—a claim Emma disputes, as she had not mentioned any panic attack. In August, an X-ray revealed a mass, but doctors prescribed antibiotics for suspected pneumonia, again dismissing cancer due to her age. Six weeks later, with her blood results abnormal, arthritis was inexplicably mentioned as a possible cause.
Shocking Diagnosis Received Without Support
After further tests in November at the University Hospital of North Durham, including another X-ray and CT scan, Emma returned to work the next day. Before her shift began at 8:30 am, she received a phone call informing her she had cancer. The news was delivered without the support of a consultation room, doctors, or nurses. She later learned she had a seven-centimetre tumour in her chest, a four-centimetre tumour in her neck, and that the blood cancer had spread to her lymph nodes, classifying it as stage 4—the most advanced stage.
Intensive Treatment and Life-Altering Consequences
Due to the aggressive nature of the cancer, Emma immediately began intensive chemotherapy at the Freeman Hospital in Newcastle. Originally planned for four cycles, her treatment has been extended to six, and she is currently midway through cycle five. Within three weeks, she lost her long red hair, which she describes as part of her identity, and she was unable to freeze her eggs, raising concerns about potential infertility and early menopause. The treatment has left her physically debilitated, sometimes requiring her mother's help to shower, and mentally strained as her life has been put on hold.
Financial Strain and Call for Awareness
Now unable to work, Emma faces mounting financial difficulties and has launched a GoFundMe appeal to cover essential costs, including travel to and from hospital. She urges other young women to trust their instincts, seek second opinions, and persistently advocate for their health. Emma emphasises that people should not hesitate to challenge medical advice if something feels wrong, as early detection could be critical. She has also expressed immense gratitude for the support from the Teenage Cancer Trust during her ordeal.
NHS Response and Commitment to Improvement
Gill Hunt, interim chief nurse for County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust, stated: "We are very sorry to hear about Ms Herring's diagnosis and the distress this will have caused her and her family. We understand how frightening this experience must have been. While we are unable to comment on the specific details of an individual patient's care, we would welcome the opportunity to speak with Ms Herring directly, to listen to her experience and ensure appropriate support is in place. We encourage anyone who feels their symptoms are not improving, or who remains concerned about their health, to seek further medical advice. We are committed to learning from patient experiences and continually improving the care we provide."
