A young woman endured distressing symptoms for close to a year before finally receiving a formal cancer diagnosis.
Sumbal Ari had been dealing with persistent itchy skin that gradually became so intense it disrupted her sleep, leaving her waking repeatedly during the night to scratch.
Because the itching had been ongoing since April of last year, Sumbal sought medical advice several times, but she says her concerns were repeatedly dismissed.
One clinician suggested her symptoms were simply down to dry skin and advised her to moisturize, while another told her that ‘it’s just one of those things’.
Over time, additional symptoms appeared, including changes in body temperature, reduced appetite, low energy levels, and a cough.
The symptoms didn’t ease, and Sumbal said they continued until she was ’emotionally, mentally and physically exhausted’.
By this point, the 26-year-old had started to suspect cancer herself after what she described as a nightly ‘Reddit rabbit hole every night’, per PEOPLE.
“As soon as I read itchy skin, night sweats and fatigue, I knew I had cancer,” said Sumbal.
It was only after she noticed a lump in her neck that her concerns were taken more seriously.
When she returned to the doctor, further checks found abnormal, enlarged lymph nodes in other areas of her body as well.
Following additional tests, she was diagnosed in March 2026 with Stage 2-3 Hodgkin lymphoma.
“I didn’t care if it was cancer, I just wanted the itching to stop and wanted a full night’s sleep,” Sumbal said of her diagnosis.
VeryWell Health notes that itchy skin can be a symptom of Hodgkin lymphoma. Other potential signs include fever without an obvious cause, swollen lymph nodes, night sweats, and unexplained weight loss.
Sumbal added: “Being told I had cancer was relieving. I finally had an answer. But I was very frustrated at all the doctors who dismissed me, and very, very angry.
“There is nothing more frustrating than knowing there is something incredibly wrong, but being brushed off by the people who are supposed to help.”
Sumbal is currently undergoing chemotherapy and says that after her first treatment session, the symptoms that had been affecting her have disappeared.
“I can’t believe I am saying this, but I sleep every single night like a baby, and I no longer scratch myself,” she said, adding: “Every single morning I wake up grateful for a full night’s sleep. I forgot what it felt like to wake up well rested.”
Reflecting on what she went through, she encouraged others to pay attention to ongoing symptoms and to keep seeking help if they feel something is wrong.
She shared: “Never stop advocating for yourself when you know something is deeply wrong. Keep trying until someone listens.”
If you’ve been affected by any of these issues and want to speak to someone in confidence, contact the American Cancer Society on 1-800-227-2345 or via their live chat feature, available 24/7 every day of the year.