Young survivor in Peterborough urges youngsters to be vigilant of early cancer signs
Georgia Kennedy, now in remission, is raising awareness after experiencing symptoms at age 19 without realising they could signal cancer
A young woman is calling on her peers to recognise common cancer symptoms, sharing her experience of being diagnosed with lymphoma at just 19 years old. Georgia, from Deeping Gate, Peterborough, noticed symptoms like extreme tiredness and a lump on her neck, both of which she did not initially associate with cancer.
“I had tiredness since I was about 15,” Georgia explained. “I thought I had narcolepsy and went through various tests, but I was told it was just ‘teenage problems’.” Eventually, the fatigue led her to cut down on sports and social activities, but her symptoms persisted.
In October 2022, Georgia developed a persistent cough and visited her GP. Initially, the cough was attributed to a past asthma condition, but her symptoms worsened. “I was given inhalers, but when my breathing didn’t improve, I went back to the GP,” she said. “I was told an X-ray looked abnormal but was assured it was nothing urgent.”
Three days before Christmas, Georgia’s condition became critical. “I couldn’t breathe properly, and my mum took me to A&E. A nurse mentioned it could be an infection but then added it was most likely cancer,” she recalled. “I remember having tunnel vision, thinking, ‘This can’t be happening.’”
Georgia later realised she had overlooked other signs. “When I look back at photos, I can see the lump on my neck from maybe two years before I was diagnosed. I also lost about 10 kilos from summer to that Christmas, but didn’t connect it to anything serious.”
Teenage Cancer Trust’s research highlights that only 17% of 13- to 24-year-olds know all five key warning signs for cancer in young people: lumps, unexplained tiredness, mole changes, persistent pain, and weight change. Chief Nurse Louise Soanes emphasised the importance of recognising these signs: “Although cancer in young people is rare, it does happen, so it’s really important that young people know the most common signs. If you feel something is wrong, speak to your GP.”
Georgia, who completed six cycles of chemotherapy and was declared cancer-free in May 2023, hopes her story encourages others to act on concerning symptoms. “I think it’s so important that people of all ages are aware of the signs of cancer,” she said. “I hope my story reminds other young people that it can happen to anyone and to get checked out if you think something is wrong.”