One thing to look out for on armpits that could be a warning sign for major health issue
Britt Jones
Featured Image Credit: Fiordaliso/Getty Images/Boy_Anupong/Getty Images
A doctor has issued an urgent warning to young people if they notice something strange with their armpit.
No, we’re not talking about your armpit smelling, it’s something different.
Dr Ahmed, a medical expert who is a GP based in the UK, has taken to TikTok to share a common type of cancer that is prevalent in young people.
He shared that more and more young people are being diagnosed with cancer, and this is one of the most common kinds.
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While there are many different symptoms, one that’s hard to ignore is in the area of your armpit.
If you spot it, it could help you to seek treatment early and save your life.
Dr Ahmed explained to his followers: "One of the most common cancers in young people is called Hodgkin lymphoma.”
Hodgkin lymphoma is a type of blood cancer that affects your blood cells, which are called lymphocytes.
These lymphocytes are a white blood cell that’s job is to help your body fight infection.
According to Blood Cancer, a UK organisation, if you have Hodgkin lymphoma, some of your lymphocytes become cancerous, which means they multiply in an abnormal way.
The charity said: “These cancerous cells cluster together in your glands (lymph nodes), attracting normal white blood cells and causing lumps to form.
“Usually, the lumps will be in your neck or chest, but you can get them anywhere you have lymph nodes. Some people also get lumps in other parts of the body.
“Lymphocytes and lymph nodes are part of your lymphatic system, so Hodgkin lymphoma is also called a cancer of the lymphatic system.”
When this happens, it can wreak havoc on your body, bringing symptoms such as tiredness, unexplained bruises and several nodes around your lymphatic system that won’t go away.
One of those areas might be around your armpit.
The Doctor explained: "So Hodgkin lymphoma is a cancer of the lymphatic system, which is part of your immune system. A certain type of cell, called B lymphocytes, grows in number abnormally, and they cluster together in a certain part of your body.
“Most often your armpits, neck and groin, which is why the most common symptom is a lymph node that's inflamed and enlarged that won't go away.
"If you've got one of these, or a lymph node, that's not going away after four to six weeks you must get it checked out.
"Other symptoms include a persistent fever, persistent cough or breathlessness, a high temperature and weight loss."
If you happen to notice a lump on your body, getting it checked out is vital.
It could be a painless cyst, or it could be something worse, but at least you’ll know what it is.
If it is found to be cancer, you’ll then be taken for scans, blood tests, and biopsies to confirm your diagnosis.
Dr Ahmed’s video is incredibly helpful to those who have never heard of the cancer type before.
For those who have already been through it, they were happy he was raising awareness.
One person in the comments said: "Seek help early. I'm seven years in remission from this. My symptoms were itchy all over, and a lump on the clavicle. Never worry about wasting a doctor's time."
This type of cancer has a lot better prognosis when caught early than most, making it vital that you get checked as soon as possible for the best outcome.