Red flag signs of cancer ‘most common’ in those aged 20-40 and over-75

An expert has highlighted the cancer that is most common in individuals aged 20 to 40, as well as those over 75. With World Lymphoma Day looming on Sunday, September 15, Michael Blakemore-Carson, a senior litigation executive at Patient Claim Line, has outlined the key symptoms to be vigilant of.

Lymphoma, a type of blood cancer, originates in the lymph glands or other organs in the lymphatic system. There are two primary types: Hodgkin lymphoma and Non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

Blood Cancer UK states that lymphoma is the most prevalent form of blood cancer, with 14,000 people being diagnosed annually in the UK, reports Gloucestershire Live.

What are the signs and symptoms of lymphoma?

Michael said: “A common symptom of lymphoma is lumps, which are swollen lymph nodes. Other signs include painless swellings in your:

  • Neck

  • Collarbone

  • Armpit

  • Groin

  • Other areas of the body

In some cases, swollen lymph nodes can press on organs, causing:

  • Pain in the chest

  • Coughing

  • Breathlessness

  • Pain in the stomach

Other symptoms can include:

B symptoms of lymphoma include:

  • Fever

  • Night sweats

  • Unexpected weight loss

“These symptoms could be used as a guide to determine what stage the lymphoma is, and what the appropriate course of treatment should be.”

What can increase my risk of lymphoma?

Michael said: “Hodgkin lymphoma is most common in people aged 20 to 40 and the over-75s. It also affects slightly more men than women. Having a medical condition that weakens your immune system, or having undergone treatment which compromises your immune system will also increase your risk.

“Other risk factors include previously being exposed to the Epstein-Barr virus or previously having had non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Lifestyle factors, such as smoking or being severely overweight also increase your risk. However, obesity has been found to be more of a risk factor for women.

“Non-Hodgkin lymphoma isn’t thought to run in families; however, your risk may be slightly increased if a close relative has had lymphoma. Other risk factors include a weakened immune system as a result of a medical condition, undergoing medical treatment or from an autoimmune condition.

“Having the Epstein-Barr virus, the HTLV virus, the Helicobacter pylori infection or coeliac disease can also increase your risk. Receiving chemotherapy or radiotherapy for an earlier cancer also gives you an increased risk of non-Hodgkin lymphoma.”

What is the diagnosis for lymphoma?

Michael said: “If you’re concerned about the symptoms of Hodgkin lymphoma, your GP should carry out a physical examination. If required, they should refer you to hospital for further testing, where a biopsy will be carried out. This is the only way to confirm a diagnosis of Hodgkin lymphoma.

“If a biopsy confirms Hodgkin lymphoma, further testing will be needed to see how far it’s spread. This could include a blood test, bone marrow sample, chest X-ray or a CT, MRI or PET scan. For non-Hodgkin lymphoma, further testing could also involve a lumbar puncture, which is where a thin needle is used to sample spinal fluid to examine if it contains any lymphoma cells.”

What can I do if my diagnosis has been delayed?

Michael said: “Non-Hodgkin lymphoma can be misdiagnosed for other common illnesses such as T-LPD, influenza, catch scratch fever or HIV. In some cases, biopsies can be misinterpreted by pathologists, resulting in misdiagnosis. Delayed diagnosis and misdiagnosis of non-Hodgkin lymphoma can be incredibly dangerous as it can spread quickly throughout the body, sometimes proving fatal before a correct diagnosis can be made. If you believe you have been misdiagnosed or received delayed treatment, you could be entitled to make a claim for compensation.”

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