‘How was this missed for SO long?' Woman, 32, reveals the signs of killer cancer doctors repeatedly ignored
For years, Emma Simms, 32, knew in her gut that something wasn't right as she grappled crippling exhaustion, maddeningly itchy legs and was unable to gain weight.
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When she also began suffering from night sweats and chest pain, Emma began pushing for answers – only to be repeatedly dismissed by doctors.
'I was turned away three times by my GP and even ended up in A&E,' Emma, from Stratford-Upon-Avon, said.
'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. Everything's come back great.'
"And that was it. I was sent on my way.'
It wasn't until December 2024, after months of worsening symptoms, that Emma was finally referred to the haematology department at the Churchill Hospital in Oxford.
There, a CT scan revealed an 8cm tumour lodged in her chest and beginning to spread to her right lung.
She was officially diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma – a rare form of blood cancer - on February 4, 2025, which also happened to be 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,' Emma explained
'But nothing prepares you for sitting there face-to-face and seeing the scan image.
"I just remember thinking, 'How did this happen? How was it missed for so long?''
Her treatment began with one of the most aggressive forms of chemotherapy, delivered in intense bursts across several days.
Emma said: '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.
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'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.'
But Emma has found some parts of her ordeal easier than she'd anticipated.
'I thought I'd wear my wig constantly, but I mostly just go bald now or wear a hat," she said.
"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.'
What's surprised Emma most is how she's coping mentally.
'People might be shocked to hear this, but for me, dealing with cancer has been easier than my past mental health struggles,' she says.
'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.'
'Excited for the future'
Emma has taken to TikTok to share updates on her cancer and mental health.
"Talking about my journey has connected me with so many amazing people. It really helps me feel less alone.'
Through it all, Emma credits her partner Calvin as her rock.
'He's been incredible. I don't know how I'd manage without him. Honestly, people who go through chemo alone are superheroes.
"My family and friends have also been so supportive – I feel very lucky.'
She's currently waiting for a scan at the end of April to see how well her body is responding to the treatment.
What is Hodgkin lymphoma?
HODGKIN lymphoma is a type of blood cancer that starts in white blood cells called lymphocytes.
It is not common, with around 2,100 people diagnosed every year in the UK.
Hodgkin lymphoma can develop at any age, but it mostly affects people between 20 and 40 years of age and those over 75. Slightly more men than women are affected.
Non-Hodgkin lymphoma, on the other hand, is diagnosed in 13,000 new patients per year. It is more common as you get older, with over a third of cases diagnosed in people over the age of 75.
In Hodgkin lymphoma, B-lymphocytes (a particular type of lymphocyte) start to multiply in an abnormal way and begin to collect in certain parts of the lymphatic system, such as the lymph nodes (glands).
The affected lymphocytes lose their infection-fighting properties, making a person more vulnerable to infection.
Like all cancers, symptoms vary and can be vague. However, patients usually notice swelling in one or more lymph nodes.
This can be in any area of the body, but is often in the neck, armpit or groin.
The swelling is usually painless, although some people find that it aches.
Some people with Hodgkin lymphoma also have other more general symptoms. These can include:
Night sweats
Unintentional weight loss
A high temperature (fever)
A persistent cough or feeling of breathlessness
Persistent itching of the skin all over the body
Source: Cancer Research UK and the NHS.
'I'll still be on chemo for a few more months after that – the type will just depend on what the scan shows.'
Emma said her illness has given her a new outlook on life.
'I've never felt more excited for the future. I used to take my body for granted. Now I just want to live life fully, try new things, appreciate the little stuff.'
For anyone facing pushback from doctors, Emma urged them to trust their gut and keep pushing for answers.
'If you feel something's wrong, keep going back. I knew in my gut something wasn't right.
"And while I was frustrated by the delay, once I got to Haematology, the care has been phenomenal.
"The Aylesford Cancer Unit in Warwick has been like a second family. The staff there are literal angels.'
For now, Emma is taking each day as it comes — and hopes sharing her journey might help others in her position.
'If sharing my highs and lows helps just one person feel less scared or less isolated, then it's all worth it.
"I've always believed there's strength in being vulnerable.'
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