‘If you notice anything unusual, contact your GP practice’

Ali Abdul Rofe, 45, was fit and healthy, so when he started to experience symptoms, the businessman put it down to his busy lifestyle

“Prior to my cancer diagnosis, I started experiencing symptoms that included night sweats and feeling very tired with low energy. I ignored them, though – I had a busy lifestyle and assumed it was all to do with stress and weight gain.

“I was sleeping at odd times in the day due to constant fatigue, and I’d have to change my vests two or three times a night because of the sweating. But I carried on as normal as I was generally a healthy, fit person and hardly went to the GP.

“After about a year, in 2016, the night sweats became unbear able, and I contacted my GP surgery. My GP immediately arranged for a blood test and chest X-ray. At first, I was told it could be lymphoma – a type of blood cancer – but the test and biopsy pointed to tuberculosis, which was a relief, as mine was not contagious and wasn’t too severe. The treatment for TB is not harsh and does not usually interfere with your daily life. “However, I was not getting better, so my GP sent me for further tests in February 2017, and I was diagnosed with stage 4 Hodgkin lymphoma. I’ve had various treatments over the years, including a stem cell transplant in February 2022, which was successful and now I am working back to recovery

“I am extremely lucky and must extend my heartfelt gratitude to the Barts Health NHS Trust and my family for looking after

HAPPY OUTCOME Ali is now on the road back to good health

“I would say to anyone who feels something unusual healthwise, see your GP. It might not be anything serious, but it could be a sign of cancer, and finding it early makes it more treatable and could