Young woman, aged 24, issues alert following discovery of concealed symptom during a holiday swim in the sea, which stemmed from an uncommon type of cancer.
Transformed Article:
Unexpected Diagnosis Sinks In: 24-Year-Old's Rare Cancer Hidden in Plain Sight
Meet Megan Carr, a seemingly healthy and active 24-year-old from Faversham, Kent, who discovered an unwelcome surprise hidden in her neck during a routine family vacation in Spain.
initially thought the small lump that her father spotted was just a reaction to the salty sea water or a swimming mishap. However, when the lump showed no signs of going away after returning home, she sought medical attention.
Megan's doctor's eventually revealed the unfortunate news: The lump was actually a rare form of cancer - papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC).
Overwhelmed and disbelieving, Megan confessed, "It was just so bizarre. I was shocked. I was in disbelief." The young journalist explained, "I didn't feel unwell. I had no symptoms. I'd actually had blood tests done on my thyroid a few months prior for a different issue - and nothing showed up in the results."
The first surgery in October involved removing part of her thyroid, followed by a biopsy. The results confirmed her worst fears. Moreover, the disease's unassuming appearance and subtle symptoms had allowed it to take root and grow undetected.
However, the second operation to remove the rest of her thyroid brought a new set of challenges. Megan struggled with extreme fatigue, muscle pain, and brain fog that made her forget everyday things. Her body, she explained, reacted negatively to the surgery, making her feel more ill than before.
Recovering from the ordeal, Megan finished her treatment with radioactive iodine therapy, which left her isolated for four days due to her radioactive state. She's now under five years of surveillance.
Megan's experiences made her realize how patients with cancer hope to be treated. "I'm so grateful to my family and friends, and all the doctors, nurses, and surgeons who have supported me," she said. "But through that, and through meeting other people with cancer, I've noticed a lot about the way we treat people with cancer."
[Note: Common, yet often overlooked, symptoms of papillary thyroid carcinoma include a neck lump, changes in voice, difficulty swallowing, enlarged lymph nodes, persistent cough, and throat or neck discomfort.]
Sources:
*[1] Thyroid.org. (n.d.). Papillary Thyroid Cancer. [online] Available at: https://www.thyroid.org/thyroid-cancer/ types-of-thyroid-cancer/papillary/
*[2] Cancer.net. (2021). Papillary Thyroid Cancer. [online] Available at: https://www.cancer.net/cancer-types/thyroid-cancer-papillary/overview
*[3] Mayo Clinic. (2020). Papillary Thyroid Cancer. [online] Available at: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/papillary-thyroid-cancer/symptoms-causes/syc-20354862
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- Despite being active and healthy, Megan's routine family travel to Spain uncovered a rare form of cancer, papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC), hidden in her neck.
- Common, yet often overlooked, symptoms of papillary thyroid carcinoma include a neck lump, changes in voice, difficulty swallowing, enlarged lymph nodes, persistent cough, and throat or neck discomfort.
- Megan's battle with cancer made her realize the importance of mental health alongside physical health, emphasizing the need for empathetic care for patients.
- As Megan transitions into surveillance due to her papillary thyroid carcinoma diagnosis, her awareness of women's health and the importance of early medical attention has grown.
