A woman whose minor rash resulted with her life being on the line is warning people to check their neck regularly before it’s too late.
Becky Bowes only visited doctors when the itchy spot hadn’t shifted for two months.
And while annoying, it uncovered a shocking, and heartbreaking, diagnosis.
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The 25-year-old, from Swindon, was left perplexed when the medic “wouldn’t stop staring” at her neck.
He then pointed out a “golf ball-sized” lump which had gone unnoticed for five years due to its positioning – though, when looking back on old photos, it’s all Becky could see.
Sadly, as it had been left untreated for so long, the cancer had ultimately spread to her lungs; and her life was on the line.
“I was shocked and confused,” she told Need To Know.
“It didn’t feel real.
“I had never noticed the lump until the doctor pointed it out.
“I couldn’t believe that it had been there so long and I didn’t notice.
“The doctors told me a couple of times that it was unlikely to be cancer – though I knew, deep down, that it was.
“I only went in for a rash and then within minutes, my whole world came crashing down.”
Becky, who is currently unemployed, had been suffering with depression – one of the main symptoms associated with papillary thyroid cancer – which she had spoken to doctors about.
She was prescribed antidepressants, though she claims no other checks were carried out, despite her repeatedly saying the medication wasn’t working.
As the lump was in a hidden position, and didn’t cause any discomfort or pain, she had no reason to check her neck.
Though Becky, who hopes her ordeal serves as a warning, thinks there should be more of a push to check your neck for anything out of the ordinary; just as advised with breasts and testicles.
She said: “I feel very left down by the doctors for not doing further tests before putting me on antidepressants.
“If this had been done, the chances are my cancer wouldn’t have spread.
“And I wouldn’t have had to do extra treatment.
“It’s hard to say but [there’s a] possibility my quality of life would be different.
“Now, I feel completely numb.”
Becky underwent surgery in May 2020 to remove her thyroid and 22 lymph nodes, of which 13 tested positive for the cancer.
She then had two different doses of radioactive iodine to monitor the spread.
Sadly, it wasn’t successful and in another devastating blow, it had spread to her lungs.
In February 2021, she received another course of radioactive iodine treatment and had to recover in a lead-lined room for three days.
Becky has finished treatment, though she’s since been diagnosed with chronic fatigue syndrome, which has left her unable to cope without a lengthy nap per day.
She has also put on a “considerable” amount of weight, which has had a significant toll on her mental health.
Becky added: “This ongoing battle has stripped my entire life away.
“I struggle a lot seeing other people my age, going out and living their lives, whereas I can’t do the most basic things.
“I’m not a normal 25-year-old.
“I’m stuck doing nothing – and if I do push myself too far, then I end up bed bound.
“When my scar was fresh, I definitely got a lot of looks.
“Now, though, it’s super faded, so no one really notices it unless I point it out.
“I’ve put on a considerable amount of weight and my legs are covered in stretch marks.
“But it’s not something I’m comfortable talking about, as it affects my confidence a lot.
“My biggest fear is that I will get a secondary cancer or that I won’t be able to have kids.
“I get my bloods checked every six months to ensure the cancer marker hasn’t gone up.
“Though I’m suppressing my thyroid stimulating hormone to ensure this.
“Just go to the doctors and get checked out.
“It’s not worth ignoring the symptoms or lumps.
“And if you’re not being taken seriously, ask to see another doctor before it’s too late.”
