My 'gut feeling' may have saved my life after waking up with 'lump'

Dylan Stewart noticed swelling had appeared overnight to around the size of "a rubber" causing "alarm bells to ring".

The 21-year-old, from Barrhead, had no other symptoms and had never had any other health issues, but knew he had to get it checked out by his GP immediately.

Dylan woke up one morning and noticed this lump on his neck (Image: Sourced)

The apprentice plumber then got the “soul-crushing” confirmation that he had stage two Hodgkin lymphoma, leaving him devastated.

Now he is undergoing chemotherapy treatment and hopes his quick-thinking action to investigate the lump means he can beat it.

Dylan Stewart is focusing on being positive (Image: Robert Perry)

Dylan said: “I woke up with a massive lump the size of a rubber on the side of my neck.

“Alarm bells started ringing because I knew it wasn’t normal, I had a gut feeling something was wrong and knew I needed to get it checked out.

“I had never had any health problems at all before so this was totally out of the blue, I had no other symptoms.

“When doctors told me on the phone it was cancer it was soul-crushing, I was devastated.

“Now I am trying to stay positive and my friends have been amazing, some of them even shaved their heads with me.

“I took control because I didn't want to wait and just watch it fall out during chemotherapy. It meant a lot that my friends wanted to support me.

“It’s not something you expect to face at my age, and the journey so far has been both physically and emotionally challenging but at the end of the day it’s part of the process.”

Dylan Stewart is being treated at the Beatson (Image: Robert Perry)

Hodgkin lymphoma is an uncommon cancer that develops in the lymphatic system, which is a network of vessels and glands spread throughout your body.

The most common symptom is a painless swelling in a lymph node, usually in the neck, armpit or groin.

It can develop at any age, but it mostly affects people between 20 and 40 years of age and those over 75. Slightly more men than women are affected.

Around 2,100 people are diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma in the UK each year.

Now Dylan wants to help others facing similar journey’s to his own by fundraising for Teenage Cancer Trust, The Beatson Cancer Charity, and Lymphoma Action.

Dylan’s GoFundMe says: “Through this experience, I’ve realised just how many people are affected by cancer, not just patients like me, but also families, friends, and loved ones.

“I’ve been fortunate to have incredible support, but I’ve also seen how vital cancer charities are in providing hope, resources, and care to those who need it most.

“While I’m focusing on fighting my own battle, I want to use this moment to give back.

“I’ve started this fundraiser to raise money for cancer charities that make a real difference by funding groundbreaking research, supporting patients, and working towards a future where fewer people have to face this disease.”

You can donate to Dylan’s cause here.