How a health concern exposed a young fitness coach’s cancer diagnosis at 25

A fitness trainer has revealed the ’embarrassing’ and seemingly innocuous symptom that led to him being diagnosed with cancer at just 25.

Dilan Patel, a resident of Ilford in East London, shared his experience of being in his mid-20s leading a typical life for someone his age—working hard and socializing with friends.

However, he began to notice something strange. 

‘I’d wake up in the middle of the night drenched in sweat. I mean soaked,’ he detailed in a TikTok video that’s had nearly 200,000 views.

‘My clothes, my bed — everything would be wet. It happened 2-3 times every single night.

At first Mr Patel ‘brushed it off’ as being too warm at night but the problem continued for months. 

It wasn’t until two years later, when the symptoms became unbearable, that he eventually sought help from a GP.

However, Mr. Patel received shocking news when he was diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma—a rare form of blood cancer that develops in vessels and glands throughout the body.

Hodgkin lymphoma is rare with only some 2,200 cases diagnosed in Britain each year.

While this less than one per cent of all cancer cases, it still means an average of six Brits are diagnosed with this from of the disease each day. 

Night sweats were Mr Patel’s most distressing symptom, he wrote on social media, but they were not the only sign.

‘My skin was unbelievably itchy — so much so that I carried lotion around with me everywhere, convinced it was just dry skin,’ he said.

‘I even noticed lumps on my neck, but I thought they were my muscles growing from all my workouts at the gym.’

Tests eventually found Mr Patel had a total of five tumours, including one in his lung.

Spreading to other parts of the body means the cancer was stage 4, the most serious stage of the disease when most patients are incurable.

While Hodgkin lymphoma is considered by experts to be an aggressive from of cancer given its capacity to spread, it is also considered highly treatable through chemotherapy which is sometimes combined with radiotherapy.

Overall, three in four patients are expected to be alive a decade after their diagnosis, though the disease still kills just over 300 Brits per year. 

Hodgkin Lymphoma survivors can also face a range of health issues even after a successful cancer treatment. 

This includes an increased risk of developing other blood cancers like leukaemia, and increased risk of cardiovascular and lung disease according to the NHS.     

Like many cancers, rates of the disease have increased by 38 per cent since the 90s.

The rise has been highest in Brits over the age of 70, but cases have also increased by 21 per cent among younger adults.

People between the ages of 20 and 40 as well as those aged 75-and-over are considered most at risk of Hodgkin Lymphoma, with men having a slightly higher risk of the disease than women. 

Hodgkin lymphoma develops in the type of infection-fighting white blood cells called the lymphocytes.

Cancerous lymphocytes develop in an abnormal way, causing lumps to form in the lymph nodes in the neck, armpit and groin.

Common symptoms include the night sweats and persistent itching as well as unintentional weight loss, high temperature and a persistent cough.

Infections like those of Epstein-Barr virus, which causes glandular fever, are a known risk factor for Hodgkin lymphoma.

Cancer charity Cancer Research UK estimates two out of five cases of Hodgkin lymphoma are attributable to a Epstein-Barr virus infection.

Mr Patel urged anyone experience symptoms that are bothering them to not ignore them and seek medical help.

‘If there’s one thing I’ve learned from this experience, it’s to pay attention to your body,’ he said. 

‘Those little signs and symptoms? They’re there for a reason. Don’t wait until it’s too late.’

Hodgkin lymphoma can also, rarely, cause bizarre symptoms such as pain, numb or tingling sensations while drinking alcohol for reasons scientists still don’t fully understand.