A 24-year-old woman who dismissed a lump on her neck as a reaction to swimming in the sea was shocked to discover it was a rare form of cancer. Megan Carr, from Faversham, Kent, was on a family holiday in Spain in July when her father noticed the lump.
Feeling otherwise healthy and symptom-free, she assumed it was caused by saltwater or a sting. However, the lump persisted after her return to the UK, prompting a GP visit. Following months of tests, doctors removed part of her thyroid in October, and a biopsy revealed papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC).
Megan, a journalist, expressed disbelief at the diagnosis. 'I didn't feel unwell. I had no symptoms. I considered myself really healthy,' she said. Doctors attributed the cancer to 'really bad luck' as she had no known radiation exposure.
Subsequent surgery to remove the remainder of her thyroid led to severe side effects, including extreme fatigue, muscle pain, and brain fog. 'I felt a lot worse after treatment than I did with the tumour,' she said. She also experienced calcium absorption issues, brittle nails, and hair loss.
Megan underwent radioactive iodine therapy, requiring four days of isolation in hospital to avoid harming others. She now urges people to take unusual symptoms seriously and is grateful for the support from family, friends, and medical staff.
