University student mistakes deadly golf ball-sized lump on her neck as mumps
manchestereveningnews.co.ukA university student who found a deadly lump on her neck when she was getting ready for a night out with friends has told of her horrifying ordeal.
Layla Phillips, a Swansea University student, was putting on a necklace when she felt a mysterious lump in her throat. She initially thought it was a case of a viral infection with a swollen neck.
But her discovery led to a shocking diagnosis of thyroid cancer, reports WalesOnline. "I thought it was a bit strange, but we had mumps going round university halls, so I thought it was that," the 22-year-old, who was 20 at the time, recalled. “The lump felt huge – probably just a little smaller than a golf ball.
I sort of forgot about it but when it didn’t develop into mumps I started to worry. It was visible, and if I looked up and swallowed in the mirror, I could see it moving up and down." Layla returned to her hometown of Bath during the Christmas break, where her mum advised that she should get the lump checked out. "I booked an appointment with my GP, they were absolutely amazing," she said. "I had a phone call with them, then the next day they had me come to the surgery, then referred me to hospital for an ultrasound and needle biopsy.
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