A mother and daughter duo, Jessica Warrington, 31, and her mother Sarah Voy, 53, have shared their harrowing experience after being misdiagnosed with common health issues before discovering they both had thyroid cancer. Initially, health professionals had wrongly associated their symptoms with menopause and asthma. Jessica experienced brain fog, mood swings, headaches, back pain, and exhaustion, which led doctors to believe she was entering early menopause. However, her diagnosis in September 2024 revealed she had thyroid cancer. Just four months later, her mother Sarah, who had been struggling with breathing difficulties and neck pain for years, also received the devastating news of having thyroid cancer.
Following surgeries to remove their tumours, Jessica has been declared cancer-free, while Sarah awaits her final results. The pair, now closer than ever, are advocating for individuals to seek second opinions on their health concerns. Jessica, a healthcare worker, expressed her devastation at receiving the news and then discovering her mother faced the same battle. Sarah first noticed symptoms in December 2019, feeling unfit and short of breath. Despite consulting her GP and receiving an inhaler for suspected asthma, a lump emerged on her throat causing swallowing difficulties. A trip to Lincoln with friends in 2022 led to a stark realization of her declining health.
After switching GPs, Sarah was finally diagnosed with subglottic stenosis, a rare condition that narrows the windpipe. Despite undergoing surgery, the lump in her neck continued to grow. Jessica, a mother of three, was also exhibiting symptoms and persistently sought medical help. Eventually, a perceptive doctor ran tests that led to Jessica’s thyroid cancer diagnosis. Both women underwent surgeries to remove their tumours, with Jessica facing follicular thyroid cancer and Sarah diagnosed with thyroid microcancer.
Their shared journey has strengthened their bond, with Jessica highlighting the importance of listening to one’s body and advocating for oneself in medical settings. They have set up a GoFundMe page to support the Butterfly Thyroid Cancer Trust, raising awareness about the disease. Jessica and Sarah emphasise the significance of getting tested if individuals have concerns about their health, urging others to seek multiple opinions if necessary. The pair’s determination and courage in facing their diagnoses serve as an inspiration for others dealing with health challenges.