Young Scots woman's warning after cough leads to stage 3 cancer diagnosis

Erin Lavery, 24, from Cambuslang, knew there was something seriously wrong with her but her GP dismissed her symptoms for months.

by · Daily Record

A young Scots woman has urged others to listen to their bodies and not dismiss their symptoms after a cough led to a stage 3 cancer diagnosis.

Erin Lavery, 24, from Cambuslang, came down with a cough in October last year that she couldn't get rid of, but after suffering from childhood asthma she didn't think much more of it.

However, by November she noticed a lump had appeared on her neck and she went to her GP to get it checked out.

Doctors believed her symptoms were linked to an iron deficieny and swollen lymph node, but over the next seven months, her symptoms became progressively worse with migraines, dizziness, and tiredness, which stopped her from working as a nail technician for periods of time.

Erin tried to continue with life as normal, but after feeling that she wasn't improving after several months, the beautician asked if she could be referred to a hospital and was sent for a biopsy.

Erin had been feeling ill for months. (Image: Supplied)

Erin told the Record: "I was feeling worse and worse but my GP surgery believed my symptoms were linked to low iron. They also took me off the contraceptive pill as they believed that could the cause - and they gave me medication such as steroids to see if my symptoms would clear up, but nothing worked.

"I knew something wasn't right so the last time I went to the doctor's about my lump I asked if I could get more tests at hospital. At that point, they agreed to refer me."

Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community!

Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today.

You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland.

No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team.

All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in!

If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'.

We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like.

To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'.

If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.

Erin went for her first hospital appointment in July and by August 9 her first biopsy was done, but while she was waiting for the results she became more ill.

"My symptoms became worse very quickly after the biopsy," Erin explained. "There were two weeks where I could not get out of bed and I was struggling at times to get my breath. I genuinely never felt so bad in my life.

The lump that first caused Erin concern that something was wrong. (Image: Supplied)

"My mum phoned the hospital and they took me in for more tests straight away. I was diagnosed with lymphoma that same day."

Erin began chemotherapy on September 6 and is expected to be getting the treatment for the next six months. She's staying positive that she can recover, but the future is uncertain.

She has now trying to raise awareness of her condition after an inspirational video of her shaving her long hair off went viral.

Erin says she was used to having a very active life before her symptoms began. (Image: Supplied)

Erin said: "I first posted about my diagnosis on social media as I thought it was the easiest way to tell my clients, but then people started reaching out to me with their own symptoms.

"I have been touched by the response I've had to my own story as I never expected it. Something positive has come from a bad thing.

"I now feel it's important for me to use my voice and tell others that if you know there's something not right, listen to your body. If I hadn't pushed, I would still be sitting at home right now.

"A lot of what will happen next is uncertain, but I'm staying positive with the support of my family and friends."

Erin has raised over £13,000 for the Little Princess Trust by donating her hair.

Top news stories today

Don't miss the latest news from around Scotland and beyond - Sign up to our daily newsletter here.

Story SavedYou can find this story in  My Bookmarks.Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right.