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Jessica Hamersley, a 27-year-old from Harlow, Essex, was diagnosed with stage 2A Hodgkin’s lymphoma after discovering a seemingly harmless rash on her leg. The cancer had gone undetected for months, with a seven-inch tumor “crushing” her heart before it was finally found during a PET scan.
Jessica’s ordeal began when she noticed a red, hot, and throbbing patch on her left shin. The rash would disappear and reappear over the course of a year, which she attributed to eczema. “I thought maybe it’s a flare-up on my leg or did I catch myself when I was shaving? You never think cancer,” she said. Despite her concerns, she believed it was caused by her perfumed moisturizer and didn’t seek medical attention right away. told by The Mirror.
It wasn’t until her fiancé, William Webber, urged her to get it checked out that she visited her GP. Initially, her doctor believed the rash might be related to her contraceptive pill, but when the rash persisted, Jessica was sent for an X-ray in October 2023. The X-ray revealed a mass in her chest.
Further tests, including multiple biopsies and a keyhole surgery, confirmed her diagnosis of Hodgkin’s lymphoma in February. By then, the tumor had been growing for at least six months and measured over seven inches. Doctors informed Jessica that the cancer was pressing on her heart and, had it been caught any later, it would have severely impacted her health, possibly causing shortness of breath and visible lumps on her collarbones.
Jessica shared the surreal moment of discovering the severity of her condition, “They said it was crushing my heart… I just froze really. I was with my partner and I feel like I zoned out, I wasn’t really listening.” Despite the gravity of the situation, she remained optimistic.
Her doctors explained that the rash on her leg was actually a condition called erythema nodosum, an inflammation of fat tissue that can signal underlying health issues. Jessica noted, “It’s a really weird way of your body telling you there’s something wrong inside.” report from Daily Express.
After undergoing aggressive chemotherapy through the spring, Jessica was declared cancer-free in August. To celebrate, she plans to visit Disneyworld with her fiancé. Reflecting on her journey, Jessica expressed deep gratitude, “I’m just so glad it was caught early.”
Jessica now uses TikTok to share her story and raise awareness, urging others to get unusual symptoms checked out, no matter how insignificant they may seem. “Life is so short… You’re never promised tomorrow,” she said, emphasizing the life-changing perspective cancer has given her.
