**Stratford-Upon-Avon Woman Warns Others After Late Cancer Diagnosis Following Years of Dismissed Symptoms**
Emma Simms, a 32-year-old from Stratford-Upon-Avon, is urging others to trust their instincts after she spent years feeling unwell and unheard by medical professionals, only to be diagnosed with a rare and advanced cancer. Despite repeated visits to her local GP and even a trip to A&E, her symptoms were dismissed as harmless for a long time, resulting in a diagnosis of Hodgkin’s lymphoma only after the cancer had spread to her lungs.
For years, Emma had experienced exhaustion, unexplained itching, persistent night sweats, and difficulty maintaining a healthy weight. Yet, each time she sought help, blood tests came back ‘normal’, leaving her feeling frustrated and invisible. “I was turned away three times by my GP and even ended up in A&E,” Emma explained. “Each time, I heard it was nothing serious. They told me, ‘You don’t have leukaemia, you don’t have lymphoma. Everything’s fine.’ That was the end of it.”
It was only after her symptoms worsened in late 2024—with escalating chest pain and relentless night sweats—that Emma was finally referred to a specialist at Churchill Hospital in Oxford. A CT scan revealed a large tumour, approximately 8cm in size, lodged in her chest and some spread into her lung. The official diagnosis, delivered on 4 February 2025—World Cancer Day—was a shock. “Seeing the images on the scan, I just remember thinking, ‘How did this happen? Why wasn’t it caught before?’” Emma recalled.
Prior to her diagnosis, Emma worked for a technology marketing company based in New Zealand. She admits her life had been bereft of hobbies or adventures, which she now attributes to the unrecognised impact of her illness. “I was just too tired, all the time. Now I realise why. Being diagnosed so late has made me determined to change that and live life to the full.”
To treat the cancer, Emma began one of the most aggressive courses of chemotherapy available. Her regimen involved intense, repeated doses over several days and was, in her words, ‘terrifying’. Still, she was motivated by the size and stage of the tumour to take decisive action. Two cycles in, there is hope she may be able to switch to a less intense form, but the journey hasn’t been easy. “The worst things have been the vomiting, and the intense bone pain from Filgrastim injections to boost my white blood cells,” she shared. “I’ve also gained two stone from steroids, lost my hair, and sometimes I barely recognise myself in the mirror.”
Despite all this, Emma remains resilient, embracing her new appearance and finding empowerment in vulnerability. Support from her online community, particularly on TikTok, has given her confidence to face the world without her wig, and share both positive and difficult moments with honesty. “Social media can be toxic, but I’ve found so much kindness and support. It’s helped me feel less alone and more accepting of my own journey.”
Surprisingly, Emma admits that the mental burden of cancer has, in some ways, been easier to cope with than her long-standing struggles with anxiety and depression. “People might be shocked to hear it, but cancer comes with a treatment plan—a clear path. With mental health issues, it’s just you, alone in your head. That’s much harder,” she reflected.
Emma credits her partner, Calvin, as a crucial source of strength and support throughout her cancer journey. She feels immense gratitude for the help of her family, friends, and the dedicated staff at the Aylesford Cancer Unit in Warwick, whom she describes as “literal angels”. She is now awaiting further scans to determine her response to treatment, and knows more chemotherapy may be ahead.
Her message to anyone facing repeated dismissal by healthcare professionals is unequivocal: “Trust your instincts. If you know something’s wrong, keep pushing until you’re heard. I’m frustrated by the delays, but I’m so grateful for the incredible care I’m now receiving.”
To those struggling with their mental health, Emma offers heartfelt advice. “Please, talk to someone. You’re not broken or weak—you’re human. It takes time to find what works, but you are not alone in your fight. There’s always hope.”
Through her transparent and honest social media presence, Emma now hopes her story will encourage others to listen to their bodies, advocate for their health, and never give up the search for answers. Her experience stands as a powerful reminder that persistence is vital—and that strength is often found in sharing our struggles openly.