With cancer symptoms being able to manifest in a variety of different ways in the body, it is often hard to tell when genuine concern is necessary.
But Courtney Nettleton, who shared her symptoms with followers on TikTok, knew "deep down" that something was askew, despite doctors insisting otherwise.
The survivor, who was diagnosed with thyroid cancer as a teenager and beat the disease in 2022, took to the video-sharing platform to list the symptoms she experienced.
"Doctors genuinely made me believe my tiredness was just because I was a 'lazy teenager' but I think I knew deep down it wasn’t normal," Courtney, who goes by @courtneypaigenettleton online, said.
Fatigue and breathlessness were just two of the symptoms Courtney mentioned
|@courtneypaigenettleton/TikTok
General fatigue can easily be swept under the carpet under the guise of the aftereffects of hormonal fluctuations, diet as well as an array of lifestyle factors.
However, it is also a common indicator of numerous diseases which can regularly go undetected.
Known for its slow-starting symptoms, thyroid cancer’s most common symptom is fatigue, which is why many do not first identify the disease at first glance.
Another symptom that Courtney mentioned was breathlessness, adding that she "never knew that this was such a common symptom".
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"For months I had to sleep with my window open because I felt like I couldn’t breathe without the fresh air," she shared.
What’s more, she "literally thought [she] was starting early menopause", due to having hot flushes throughout the day.
She also noticed a drop in her weight, although she never associated this with her illness. However, weight loss is another frequent sign of cancer.
Alongside chest pains and "constant" tightness, the TikToker was also experiencing changes in her voice.
There are approximately 4,000 new thyroid cancer cases in the UK each year
|GETTY
"I noticed this more after my diagnosis but I could no longer shout. I could talk," she recounted, adding: "However, nothing would come out when I shouted; it was just air."
And her final symptom was swelling in the neck, which led to her two-week urgent referral for suspected cancer.
According to Cancer Research UK, there are approximately 4,000 new thyroid cancer cases in the UK annually, outlining common symptoms as as a lump in the neck, having a hoarse voice or difficulty in swallowing.
Commenting on the disease, assistant professor Dr Leila Mady at John Hopkins said: "Typical thyroid cancer patients are women between the ages of 30 and 60 - with the highest risk in the reproductive years.
"That said, thyroid cancer can occur at any age, including in children and older adults, but it's less common in these age groups."
If you are concerned about your health, please consult a GP or equivalent qualified medical professional for an assessment.