A 25-year-old Birmingham woman, Kelly Underwood, was initially dismissed by her GP when she expressed concerns about having cancer, only to later be diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma in September 2025.
Underwood first presented with symptoms such as lethargy, sore eyes, and rashes on her knuckles in February 2025. By June, she noticed a lump in her neck, prompting her partner Olivia Read to encourage her to seek medical advice.
Despite repeated visits to her GP over the next three months, Underwood said a series of medical professionals were unable to diagnose her condition. Feeling frustrated, Underwood attended an appointment with her mother, who questioned why the doctors had not done more.
It was only after the doctor reviewed Underwood’s blood test results from the past five years, which showed abnormalities like low iron and raised inflammatory markers, that they made a follow-up appointment. When Underwood and Read asked the doctor if it could be cancer, they were “laughed at” and told there was “no way” it was cancer, which Underwood initially found reassuring.
However, the doctors eventually referred Underwood for a biopsy, CT scan, and ultrasound, as her eyes became more bloodshot, she felt increasingly tired, and the lump in her neck seemed to be growing. On September 8th, the doctor delivered the devastating news that Underwood had cancer.
“The first time she said that word, I thought I hadn’t heard it right,” Underwood recalled. “I just burst out into tears.” The doctor could not provide much information about the treatment plan or prognosis, leaving Underwood and Read feeling uncertain about the future.
It was only the next day, after Underwood’s partner Olivia called the doctor demanding answers, that they learned Underwood had been diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma, a cancer with generally a good prognosis. Underwood was then put on an “intense” treatment regime of chemotherapy, filgrastim injections, and steroids.
Despite the physical and emotional challenges of her cancer journey, including hair loss and bone marrow pain, Underwood’s partner Olivia has remained by her side. Underwood was even able to propose to Olivia in a last-minute romantic gesture before starting treatment.
Now, after completing her final round of chemotherapy in January 2026, Underwood is awaiting a PET scan at the end of February to check for any signs of cancer. She is hopeful that she will receive the all-clear and be able to plan a low-key engagement celebration with her family, followed by a wedding within the next two years.
Reflecting on her experience, Underwood emphasizes the importance of advocating for oneself with doctors and being aware of potential warning signs, such as checking one’s neck for lumps. “We all think that it’s never going to be us, but it could be,” she said.
