Man diagnosed with stage 4 cancer after ignoring symptom he thought was just ‘itchy skin’

Fitness trainer Dilan Patel was just 25 when he found out he had Hodgkin’s lymphoma. At first, he ignored his symptoms, thinking they were nothing serious like itchy skin or night sweats. But his story is a reminder that we should always listen to our bodies. 

Our bodies give us signs when something’s wrong, whether it’s a minor illness or something more serious. Many people who’ve faced a severe diagnosis later regret not paying attention to their symptoms sooner. Some even brush them off as something harmless, like stress or dry skin just like Dilan did. 

One of his first symptoms was intense night sweats. He’d wake up drenched, his clothes and bedsheets soaked. At first, he thought maybe he was just too warm under the covers. But weeks passed, then months, and the sweating didn’t stop. Looking back, he realized there were other signs too constant exhaustion, which he blamed on his busy schedule. 

Then there was the itching. His skin, especially on his legs, was so dry and itchy that he’d scratch until he bled. He carried lotion everywhere, thinking it was just the weather. But it wasn’t. It was a symptom of Hodgkin’s lymphoma. 

Things changed when he noticed a lump in his armpit. That’s when he finally went to the doctor. Right away, the doctor suspected cancer. After tests, Dilan got the news: stage 4 Hodgkin’s lymphoma. The cancer had spread, with five tumors, including one in his lung. 

He couldn’t believe it. For nearly two years, his body had been warning him, but he kept dismissing the signs. Now, he wants others to learn from his experience: Pay attention to your body. Those small symptoms? They’re there for a reason. Don’t wait until it’s too late. 

After chemotherapy, Dilan is now a nine-year cancer survivor. 

Hodgkin’s lymphoma is aggressive and can spread quickly, but it’s also one of the most treatable cancers if caught in time. It often affects people aged 20 to 40 or over 75, with men slightly more at risk. Key symptoms include night sweats, unexplained weight loss, fever, persistent cough, shortness of breath, and itchy skin.