Always Get Checked
- In June 2019, Andrew Frost started experiencing severe exhaustion and itchiness which he thought was caused by a hangover from a month-long vacation he took to Thailand. After returning home he passed out and was taken to the hospital. He was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
- Symptoms of non-Hodgkin lymphoma can include overwhelming exhaustion, fever, unexplained weight loss and swelling throughout the body.
- In order to catch a cancer diagnosis early, it’s key to consult your doctor if any symptoms arise. Unfortunately, men will sometimes dismiss possible cancer symptoms and not visit their doctor when something is wrong.
Frost, a former Army logistic supply specialist, took a vacation with his friends to Thailand in June 2019 when he was 25-years-old. The group partied for three weeks, but after returning home Frost started experiencing overwhelming exhaustion and constant itchiness around his body. He attributed the conditions to a hangover, and initially dismissed the symptoms. However, a few days later he collapsed and was immediately taken to the hospital. After going through tests, he was diagnosed with stage 2 non-Hodgkin lymphoma. He immediately started going through three months of chemotherapy for treatment, and was declared in remission in November 2019.
Read MoreNon-Hodgkin Lymphoma: Symptoms
Symptoms of non-Hodgkin lymphoma can be hard to detect, which can sometimes lead to later stage diagnoses. That’s why it’s important to know all the signs, and contact your doctor as soon as possible if you start showing any symptoms. Some signs to be on the lookout for include:
- Exhaustion
- Unexplained weight loss
- Swelling in the neck, armpits, groin, or stomach
- Fevers
- Chills
- Night sweats
It’s worth noting that if you exhibit these symptoms, it’s more than likely due to a less severe illness. However, Frost’s experience proves that there’s no harm in double checking, as it can sometimes be life-saving.
Dr. Elise Chong breaks down symptoms of non-Hodgkin Lymphoma
Don’t Ignore Symptoms
In order to catch a cancer diagnosis early, it’s key to consult your doctor if any symptoms arise. Unfortunately, men will sometimes dismiss possible cancer symptoms and not visit their doctor when something is wrong. By not getting screened or talking to your physician, this could be the difference between an early stage cancer diagnosis versus a late state diagnosis.
For two-time breast cancer survivor Marc Futterweit, he understands first-hand the urge to ignore symptoms. For many men, breast cancer is considered a “woman’s” cancer, but men can be diagnosed. Through his experience, he’s become an advocate for encouraging men to get screened for the disease and not feel any shame from the process.
“Men are basically standing in the shadows,” Futterweit told SurvivorNet. “They’re ashamed or embarrassed…The problem with men is that they wait and they think things are going to go away. Once they’re diagnosed, sometimes it’s too late because it’s metastasized and it’s gone elsewhere. If you feel something, say something. Go get it checked.”
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