A young woman from Durham has spoken out about her harrowing experience after being diagnosed with stage 4 Hodgkin lymphoma, a type of blood cancer, following multiple misdiagnoses. Emma Herring, 22, began to experience severe chest pains in April 2025, prompting her to seek medical advice, convinced that something was amiss.
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Initially, a nurse practitioner dismissed her concerns, attributing the pain to anxiety. Despite her persistent symptoms, it wasn’t until August, when an X-ray revealed a significant mass, that her situation began to be taken seriously. However, the doctors still prescribed antibiotics for suspected pneumonia, dismissing cancer as a potential cause due to her young age.
“I have a history of anxiety, but I hadn’t even mentioned having a panic attack, so I don’t know where that came from,” Herring remarked, highlighting her frustration with the dismissive attitudes towards her health. It was only in November, after being referred to the University Hospital of North Durham for further investigation, that she received the devastating news. A CT scan confirmed she had tumours measuring 7 centimeters in her chest and 4 centimeters in her neck, and that the cancer had spread to her lymph nodes.
The news came through a phone call rather than a consultation, leaving Herring in shock. “It wasn’t done in a consultation room with doctors, nurses or with any other support—just over the phone. It was and still is the scariest thing I have ever gone through in my life,” she reflected on the experience.
Due to the aggressive nature of her diagnosis, treatment commenced immediately with chemotherapy. Herring described the emotional toll of losing her hair just three weeks into treatment, an especially painful moment as she was unable to freeze her eggs beforehand—a procedure that would have safeguarded her chances of future pregnancies. “My hair was my identity, and I wasn’t prepared for how quickly it happened,” she said. The cancer’s aggressive progression meant there wasn’t time for fertility preservation, leaving her anxious about the potential impacts on her ability to have children.
Physical and mental health have been impacted significantly. Herring shared how she sometimes requires assistance from her mother even for simple tasks, a stark contrast to her previous independence. “I just never expected to get cancer, especially not at this age. I was finally getting to a happy place in my life,” she candidly explained.
Herring’s treatment has hit a few bumps. Initially slated for four rounds of chemotherapy, doctors have now advised that she will need six in total, bringing with it a further period of hospitalisation. “I have always been relatively healthy—apart from the odd cold, I haven’t been ill like this before—it is just absolutely crazy,” she stated, reflecting on her contemporary health struggles. She reiterated her belief that signs of her illness were overlooked, attributing part of the issue to her age.
Amidst the pain and uncertainty, Herring has chosen to adopt a positive outlook. She has taken to sharing her experience in the hope of encouraging others—especially young women—to trust their instincts when it comes to their health. “I just want others to be aware of the symptoms and to seek a second opinion if things don’t feel right. People need to listen to their bodies,” she advised.
Taking each day as it comes, Herring acknowledges the existence of both good days and bad. “I have realised that worrying or being scared won’t change anything. For my own sake, I’m just trying to be positive,” she said, embodying a spirit of resilience in the face of adversity.
Emma Herring’s story is a poignant reminder of the importance of advocacy in healthcare and the need for individuals to have their concerns taken seriously. Her journey underscores the necessity for greater awareness of health issues, regardless of age, and exemplifies the strength of the human spirit in overcoming life’s challenges.