Woman’s Itchy Legs Dismissed For Months, Later Diagnosed With Rare Cancer

Emma Simms, 32, from Stratford-Upon-Avon, had long felt something wasn’t right with her health. Despite constantly feeling tired, experiencing itchy legs, and struggling to gain weight, doctors kept telling her she was fine. Her symptoms became more severe, including chest pain and night sweats, prompting Emma to push harder for medical help. But again, her concerns were brushed off.

“I was turned away three times by my GP and even ended up in A&E. Each time I was told it was nothing serious. They did blood tests and categorically told me I didn’t have lymphoma. One GP actually said, ‘You don’t have leukaemia; you don’t have lymphoma. All your test results are normal. And that was it. I was sent on my way,” Emma said.

It wasn’t until December 2024 that Emma was referred to the haematology department at Churchill Hospital in Oxford. A CT scan revealed a large tumour in her chest, with some spread to her lung.

Emma was officially diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma on 4 February 2025, World Cancer Day. “I was told over the phone a couple of weeks before the biopsy confirmed it, so I had a bit of time to get my head around it. But nothing prepares you for sitting there face-to-face and seeing the scanned image. I just remember thinking, ‘How did this happen? How was it missed for so long?,” Emma explains.

Life Before & After Cancer

Before getting sick, Emma worked for a tech marketing company in New Zealand. She had little energy to enjoy hobbies, something she now sees as a warning sign. “I didn’t really have many hobbies, mainly because I was just so tired all the time, which I now know was the cancer. But I’m excited to change that. Getting sick has made me realise how much life I still want to live.”

Emma began one of the most aggressive forms of chemotherapy. She’s completed two cycles so far and hopes to switch to a different treatment plan soon. “It was terrifying, but given how big the tumour was, I wanted to go in hard. I’ve just finished my second cycle, and if things look promising on my next scan, I’ll be able to switch to a different chemo regimen called ABVD.”

The side effects have been tough. “The vomiting and the bone pain from the Filgrastim injections have been the hardest. You have to inject yourself after chemo to boost your white blood cells, but it makes your bones ache so badly. I’ve also gained two stone in two months from the steroids, and between that, the bloating, and the hair loss, sometimes I hardly recognise myself in the mirror.”

Despite the physical changes, Emma is finding strength in unexpected places, especially through online support. “I thought I’d wear my wig constantly, but I mostly just go bald now or wear a hat. The support online has been amazing. It’s helped me feel more confident about going out without it. People message me saying I don’t need the wig, but it’s still a bit of a mental adjustment.”

The Mental Battle

What has surprised Emma the most is how she’s handling cancer compared to her past mental health struggles. “People might be shocked to hear this, but for me, dealing with cancer has been easier than my past mental health struggles. I’ve battled anxiety and depression since I was a teenager. Cancer is scary, of course, but there’s a treatment plan. There’s a path forward. With mental health, it’s just you, alone in your head. That’s so much harder.”

What Is Hodgkin’s Lymphoma?

Hodgkin’s lymphoma is an uncommon type of blood cancer that starts in a kind of white blood cell called lymphocytes. Around 2,100 people in the UK are diagnosed with it each year. It can affect people at any age but is seen most often in those between 20 to 40 years old, and in people over 75.

One of the main signs is swollen lymph nodes, often found in areas like the neck, armpits, or groin. These lumps are usually painless but can sometimes be uncomfortable. Other common symptoms include night sweats, losing weight without trying, fever, constant coughing or difficulty breathing, and itchy skin across the body.