I was dismissed as a hypochondriac and told I ‘looked too good’ to have cancer – Love Island helped diagnose me

After physicians rejected her as a “hypochondriac,” a woman revealed how watching Love Island saved her life.

Despite having a number of odd symptoms, such as fatigue and facial rashes, Antonia Rubio was labeled a hypochondriac by doctors and told she “looked too good” to be gravely ill.

The 25-year-old realized something was wrong when a lump appeared on the side of her neck and remembered Love Island actress Demi Jones experiencing a similar symptom before receiving a cancer diagnosis.

Following additional testing after “not taking no for an answer,” Antonia received the heartbreaking news that she had stage two thyroid cancer at the age of just 24.

“Doctors were telling me that I was young and that ‘I looked too good to have cancer,'” the former financial administrator claimed, but what does cancer look like?

“It may vary from person to person.

“I think that my age group can often be forgotten about by doctors, they just think you’re young and healthy.”

Antonia had been feeling ill since late 2020 and had visited the hospital and doctors more than a dozen times before receiving her diagnosis.

While eating supper with her roommate in November, she became aware of a rash on her face that was the result of a food response.

After being transported to the hospital after experiencing anaphylactic shock, Antonia was diagnosed with Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS).

She stated: “I was prescribed steroids, an EpiPen, and a one-year consultation with a specialist.

Between November 2020 and February 2021, I continued to visit the doctor, and they believed that I was either hypochondriac or simply nervous.

“Because I was a student at the time, they asked if I smoked or drank, but I didn’t do either as I was very health conscious.”

Despite being told to postpone her university spot for a year due to fatigue and general illness, Antonia chose to return to Jersey and study remotely until she was too sick to continue.

After receiving a diagnosis of an autoimmune condition back home, she discovered a lump on her neck in late 2021.

This, together with the overwhelming fatigue, alarmed her and made her think of Demi Jones’s account of a similar incident.

‘I didn’t take no for an answer’

Antonia demanded that more tests be performed by the physicians. “I didn’t take no for an answer,” she added.

“They believed my bump to be a slow-growing nodule, but since I sing, I wanted it checked out more closely and pushed for a biopsy and ultrasound.

“Due to the Covid backlog, I had to wait a year, and the results were inconclusive.

“I saw a story about Demi, who only received a thyroid cancer diagnosis after paying for a private biopsy, and whose ultrasound results were likewise inconclusive.

She was about my age—23—and she appeared healthy, just like me.

“She just made her debut on Love Island, and she looked fantastic.

“Her story had stuck with me, so I decided to go private for the surgery as I just knew something wasn’t right.”

When the lump was removed in April 2023, it had grown from 2 cm to 4 cm since the initial examination the month before.

Two tiny tumors growing behind it were also discovered by the doctors.

More over two years after Antonia initially reported her symptoms, she received a thyroid cancer diagnosis a week later.

She stated: “I felt a mixture of emotions as no one wants to hear the words ‘you have cancer’, but I also felt relief as I had found an answer and that I was right all along that something was going on.”

Undergoing treatment

Antonia got radioactive iodine treatment and another surgery in April of last year to remove the remainder of her thyroid and some surrounding lymph nodes.

“The treatment was challenging because it takes time to develop a clear plan,” she stated.

“It was physically and mentally exhausting but I kept reminding myself it was temporary and I would get through this.”

She was ultimately granted the all-clear in January of this year.

It took a few months for it to sink in, she claimed, and at the time it didn’t feel real.

“I was in survival mode during my treatment, so the hard work started as soon as I was cleared.

“Recovery is hard but rewarding and I’ve used the past year to reflect and process what happened to me.”

‘You know your own body better than anyone’

In an effort to inspire other young people to stand up for themselves, Antonia is now sharing her tale.

She continued: “I think it’s so important that people in the spotlight like Demi share their experiences, because I wanted to push for more tests – and knowing she did the same gave me even more courage.”

Additionally, Antonia has teamed up with the Teenage Cancer Trust to help spread the word about the symptoms that young people face.

“You know your body better than anyone else, so please just keep going if you’ve been experiencing symptoms for a while and you’re not happy with what the doctors are telling you,” she continued.

Consider this: “Do I feel different? Do I feel more exhausted than normal? I’m itchy, then? Have my weight loss efforts been pointless?

“I just knew that something wasn’t right.”

Just 17% of 13 to 24 year olds, according to research from The Teenage Cancer Trust, are aware of all five of the primary indicators of cancer in young people: lumps, bumps, swellings, unexplained fatigue, mole changes, chronic pain, and a noticeable change in weight.

The charity’s head nurse, Louise Soanes, stated: “Knowing your own body is crucial for identifying changes.

Even though cancer in young people is uncommon, it does occur, so it’s critical that they are aware of the most typical symptoms.

“Talk to your doctor if you think something is amiss.

“Is might not be cancer but if you’re worried it’s important to get checked out and give the doctor as much information as possible.”