Cancer signs in a young patient

A healthy 22-year-old woman's symptoms were misattributed to anaemia and work stress, delaying cancer diagnosis.

Fit and healthy 22 year old misdiagnosed with anaemia reveals deadly cancer

Lara Muller, 22, from Guildford in Surrey, began to experience a sore neck and back and a chest infection in December 2024. She kept up her gym routine, but doctors told her exhaustion came from anaemia and that back pain was due to sitting at a new office job.

Her condition worsened with a persistent cough and increasing fatigue. After several GP visits, an urgent chest X-ray and CT scan revealed a mass in her chest. Keyhole surgery in June 2025 confirmed Hodgkin lymphoma, a cancer of the lymphatic system. She has completed two rounds of chemotherapy and has one cycle left with the hope of remission, while advocating for others to seek second opinions if symptoms persist.

Experts note Hodgkin lymphoma is uncommon but highly treatable and often presents with non specific symptoms that can mimic everyday illnesses. The NHS describes signs such as night sweats, unintentional weight loss, fever and persistent cough, underscoring that persistent tiredness should prompt a review.

This case shows how easily serious disease can be missed when symptoms resemble everyday life in a young, active person. Doctors attributing fatigue to anaemia or back pain to posture can delay a cancer diagnosis. It also highlights the importance of patient advocacy and persistent questioning when symptoms endure.

It raises questions about how healthcare systems respond to unusual presentations in young adults and the value of multiple tests or second opinions. The emotional toll on Lara and her family illustrates why timely, careful reassessment matters as much as initial impressions.

Highlights

Listening to patients when symptoms linger can turn fear into faster care.