A TEENAGER is battling stage four cancer after she delayed seeing her GP because of the coronavirus outbreak.
Paige Heeland found a lump on her neck back in January but didn’t think anything of it.
The 19-year-old from Tunstall, Stoke-on-Trent, now faces six-months of chemotherapy after being diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma.
In March the lump had grown to the size of a 10p coin – but the country had just gone into lockdown and Paige said she didn’t want to go to the doctors.
Seven months after she found the lump in January, she was sent for a biopsy and given the crushing diagnoses.
The nursery worker is now urging others to monitor changes in their body and go to the doctors if something doesn’t feel right.
Paige, who lives at home with her parents and younger sister, said: "I first noticed a little lump in January whilst lying in bed with my boyfriend, but it was so small that I didn't think anything of it.
What is hodgkin’s lymphoma?
Hodgkin’s lymphoma is an uncommon cancer that develops in the lymphatic system.
The lymphatic system is part of your immune system – it is a network of glands and vessels that spread through your body.
The NHS states that the most common symptom of Hodgkin lymphoma is a painless swelling in a lymph node, usually in the neck, armpit or groin.
What are the symptoms?
- Swelling or lump in the neck, armpit or groin
- Night sweats
- Unintentional weight loss
- Persistent itching of the skin
- A fever
- Persistent cough
"With coronavirus, I didn't want to go to the doctors but when I did eventually make an appointment, it was a phone appointment so the lump couldn't be properly examined.
"It took six months for me to get a biopsy and I do wonder if it would have been different if I had been diagnosed sooner – it might not have progressed to stage four.
"When I found out, I was with my mum and we just broke down. I've been told that it is treatable so I'm trying to stay positive but it's really upsetting.”
Paige isn't the only one to delay seeing her GP due to Covid-19.
Last month it was revealed that one in three people put off seeing their GP due to the virus – with cancer charities warning of a "ticking cancer time bomb".
The Care Quality Commission last week also revealed that more than 25 million GP appointments were lost due to the pandemic.
Following her shock diagnosis, Paige is currently in the process of having her eggs frozen after doctors warned her that the chemotherapy could leave her infertile.
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She added: “I never expected to have to freeze my eggs at 19 years old.
"I've had to leave my job and the chemotherapy is going to start soon; my whole world has been turned upside down.
"I want to urge people to go to the doctors as soon as possible if they notice any changes in their body; even if you're not worried about it, just go and be safe.
"I should have been seen much quicker than I was but with coronavirus, all appointments are telephone appointments so it's important to call as soon as you notice any changes".
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