“Itchy red bumps”…I thought it was an allergy to tattoos, but at the age of 21, I got this cancer, what happened?

The story of a man in his 20s who went to the hospital because itchy, red bumps on his back wouldn’t go away was shared. He was misdiagnosed with ringworm and tattoo allergy, and eventually was diagnosed with lymphoma cancer. He was only 21 years old when he was diagnosed with cancer. He advised that early symptoms of lymphoma and skin rashes due to simple ringworm may be similar, so he should be closely monitored.

According to reports in the British daily The Sun, Ben Collins, now 24 years old and living in Colchester, Essex, went to the hospital after discovering a lump in his chest in February 2020. At this time, the biopsy results revealed that it was a simple lump of fat. Shortly thereafter, I noticed an itchy, red bump on my back. When the lump did not go away, Ben visited the hospital, and the medical staff initially diagnosed him with ringworm (fungal infection) and prescribed steroid medication to treat it.

Still, the symptoms did not improve. Another hospital suspected the lump could be a tattoo allergy. Ben asks the tattoo artist for ink ingredients to determine if he is allergic and delivers it to the doctor, but it turns out it has nothing to do with the tattoo.

However, as the lump did not go away, a year later, in March 2021, I underwent two biopsies at Colchester Hospital, and as a result, I was diagnosed with lymphoma. Lymphoma is a cancer that occurs in the lymphatic system. It is a disease that occurs when lymphocytes, which play an important role in the immune system, grow abnormally.

I was misdiagnosed as simple ringworm or an allergy, and the end result was cancer! Ben was shocked. He was only 21 years old. Ben began radiotherapy treatment at Guy’s Hospital in London in June 2021. Ben underwent a total of seven rounds of radiotherapy, each time traveling a long distance from Colchester to London. His treatment journey was fraught with many challenges, both psychological and physical.

Ben and his family spent about 3,000 pounds (4.5 million won) over three years just on transportation to and from Guy’s hospital. He emphasized that many cancer patients and their families are having difficulties due to the astronomical costs incurred during cancer treatment.

Ben tried to stay positive after his cancer diagnosis and began taking up activities like running to focus on his health and wellbeing. She lost 4 stone (approximately 25 kg) by participating in a half marathon and is pursuing a healthier life through exercise. He is trying to share his experience and raise awareness about lymphoma.

Rashes or red spots accompanied by itchiness… These are similar to other allergic skin diseases, so be careful.

Lymphoma, which Ben suffered from, is a cancer that occurs in the lymphatic system and is caused by abnormal growth of lymphocytes (immune cells). The lymphatic system is an important part of the immune system, and lymphocytes are produced and function in the lymph nodes, lymph vessels, spleen, and bone marrow. Lymphoma is divided into two types: Hodgkin’s lymphoma and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

The main symptoms are swollen lymph nodes in the neck, armpits, and groin, as well as constant fatigue and decreased physical strength. Night sweats: Symptoms include fever and excessive sweating at night. Sometimes you lose weight for no reason.

One of the first symptoms of lymphoma is a rash or red spots on the skin. This is accompanied by itching, and the skin may become swollen and red. Because of this, it can look very similar to an allergic reaction to a tattoo, as was the case with Ben. Tattoo allergy usually occurs as a hypersensitivity reaction to ink ingredients or chemicals used during the tattoo procedure, causing the skin to become red, swollen, and itchy. Because the symptoms are similar, skin changes caused by lymphoma can look like a tattoo allergy.

Ringworm is caused by a fungal infection of the skin, which also appears as itchy, red patches or bumps on the skin. Ringworm is characterized by the skin becoming red and scaly, with the center sinking and the edges swelling red. When the first symptoms of lymphoma include a skin rash or itching, these symptoms may look similar to ringworm. Red bumps or itchiness that appear on the skin may appear similar to ringworm, so it may be misdiagnosed in the early stages.