People who work out daily and maintain a healthy diet are deemed invincible and the epitome of discipline, strength, and self-consciousness but for Dilan Patel, a 25-year-old U.K.-based fitness coach, started waking up in the middle of the night sweating profusely night after night, he attributed it to an overheated room or the result of high-intensity workouts. For almost two years, he ignored the warning signs until his body could no longer be ignored. What was initially a nagging irritation was diagnosed as Stage 4B Hodgkin lymphoma, an uncommon blood cancer.Patel was 23 and like most young adults, establishing his career, pumping iron at the gym, and planning his future. Life was structured and good. But an odd trend persisted that he could not dispel."I'd wake up two or three times during the night, totally soaked. My clothes, my bed sheets—everything was wet," he said in a viral Instagram reel for its brutal honesty. "I thought I was just overheating from sleeping under too many blankets. I didn't think anything of it."But it wasn't just night sweats. He had constant itchiness, which he ignored as dry skin, and visible lumps on his neck, which he explained away as muscle growth from weightlifting. "Everything had an explanation—or so I thought," he remembered.Gradually, the symptoms worsened. The fatigue became unstoppable, and the night sweats intolerable. Patel consulted medical advice only then. What ensued was a diagnosis that would make his world spin around: Hodgkin lymphoma, an uncommon form of cancer that impacts the lymphatic system.By the time it was detected, the disease had advanced to Stage 4B. Imaging revealed five tumors—one of which had already spread to his lung. The news was devastating.“I couldn’t believe it,” he said. “I’d spent two years brushing off the warning signs. My body had been screaming at me.”What is Hodgkin Lymphoma?Hodgkin lymphoma is a type of blood cancer that starts in the lymphocytes, a form of white blood cell essential to the immune system of the body. It most commonly occurs in the lymph nodes but, as happened in Patel's situation, if not diagnosed promptly, can infect the lungs, liver, or bone marrow.While uncommon—only around 2,200 new cases are diagnosed annually in the U.K., and less than 0.5% of all cancers—it's one of the more curable cancers if caught in time. Cancer Research UK says that approximately 75% of patients who are diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma are still alive ten years later.In spite of its treatability, the disease is virulent and has the potential to severely compromise quality of life. Survivors have a higher risk of secondary cancers, cardiovascular disease, and respiratory complications from treatment.Symptoms and Signs of Hodgkin LymphomaOne of the biggest problems with Hodgkin lymphoma is that its symptomatology is misleading. The disease may have vague signs that resemble less severe illnesses:Unexplained feverDrenching night sweatsPersistent fatiguePainless inflamed lymph nodes in the groin, underarms, or neckUnexplained weight lossIntense itching, particularly after a bathIn Patel's situation, all these symptoms existed, but every one of them had an "everyday" cause that delayed his diagnosis. This is common, particularly for young adults, who usually equate these signs with stress, exercise, or changing seasons.Although the exact cause of Hodgkin lymphoma is still unclear, Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), the same virus that causes mononucleosis, is believed to play a role in the development of approximately two out of five cases. Genetics, a weakened immune system, and environmental exposures are also being researched as possible risks.Interestingly, although there has been an increase of 38% in rates since the 1990s, adults aged over 70 have registered the steepest rise. But there's also been an increase of 21% amongst younger adults, especially those in the 20-40 group to which Patel belongs.Why Fitness Enthusiasts Shouldn't Ignore "Minor" Symptoms?Fitness professionals are usually the epitome of health. But that self-image can postpone diagnosis, as it did for Patel. Lumps are attributed to muscle gain. Fatigue is considered a normal effect of intense training. Itching and night sweats are attributed to diet or dehydration.This is a cautionary tale, particularly for young adults who may think that they're too healthy to get sick. Hodgkin lymphoma doesn't care about lifestyle or dietary habits. Even people who look the healthiest can be quietly fighting a serious disease.Hodgkin lymphoma is routinely treated with chemotherapy, and in certain instances, radiation. As good as the prognosis is, however, early detection remains the best weapon against the disease and reducing long-term side effects.Even with his advanced diagnosis, however, Patel's tale is also one of determination and vigilance. He's sharing his message from his platform- Don't ignore what your body is trying to tell you.“If there's one thing I’ve learned from this experience,” he said, “it’s to pay attention to your body. Those little signs? They’re there for a reason. Don’t wait until it’s too late.”