Jamie Haxton, 29, from Glasgow was diagnosed with a rare form of lymphoma after he discovered a lump that wouldn’t go away for weeks.
Jamie Haxton is living with a rare form of lymphoma(Image: UGC)
A fitness coach has told how a ‘tooth infection’ helped him discover a silent cancer that was lurking in his body.
Jamie Haxton, 29, from Glasgow was diagnosed with a rare form of lymphoma after he discovered a lump that wouldn’t go away for weeks.
The small lump underneath his jaw formed after a tooth infection sparked an unusual reaction in his lymph nodes in October 2024.
Jamie had a small lump under his jaw removed(Image: UGC)
His dentist and GP both tried to treat the lump with rounds of antibiotics weeks after his tooth infection had cleared up.
But with the lump still in place his GP sent Jamie to Ear Nose and Throat (ENT) specialists who carried out a biopsy.
After surgery to remove the lump, Jamie was told just days before Christmas last year he had cancer.
The online fitness coach told the Record: “If it wasn’t for a tooth infection I would never have known I had cancer.
“It was caught just in time. Had it gone unnoticed any longer I could have been in real trouble.
“I was treated with antibiotics and the infection cleared up. But there was this small lump left behind. It was barely noticeable. I was going about daily life with it but I always had a feeling something wasn’t right.
Jamie was told he had cancer just five months after marrying wife Taylor(Image: UGC)
“After the third course of antibiotics my GP was concerned it wasn’t shifting it. He referred me to ENT.
“It took five weeks until I was seen by ENT. Even when they said I had to get it surgically removed I still thought it was nothing.
“I was told I had cancer just a week before Christmas. It was only five months after I got married so telling my wife was so tough.
“I Facetimed her after receiving the news. It was a massive shock to her. It was really emotional.”
Jamie was diagnosed with stage 3 Nodular Lymphocyte Predominant Hodgkin Lymphoma. The rare sub-type of lymphoma lies dormant in Jamie’s body, with traces discovered in his stomach and neck.
Remarkably Jamie has been able to live with his cancer without the need for any treatment. He is given regular blood tests and scans to closely monitor the progression of the disease.
Jamie has continued to live his life as normal(Image: UGC)
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Jamie, who lives with wife Taylor, 26, said: “My cancer is lying dormant. It is just sitting there and I live with it.
“It’s a rare sub-type of lymphoma. It is really slow progressing. It could take years before I suffer any symptoms.
“Thankfully, nothing has changed in my life. I’ve been able to just get on with it. Sometimes I think I just want this out of my body. But I know things could be worse.
“I’m symptomless at the moment. But if I start to show symptoms that’s when they’ll look to treat it.
“They just didn’t want me to start chemotherapy. It wouldn’t be worth the side effects.
The online fitness coach has continued to train clients(Image: UGC)
“The doctors have said my fitness is really helping keep this at bay. I’m really glad I’ve looked after myself.
“I’ve still been able to keep working. When I first got diagnosed I told all my clients. They have been brilliant and really understanding.”
Jamie is taking on a 10k for the Beatson Cancer charity this Sunday through Glasgow after another family member bravely fought and beat cancer.
Jamie said: “The Beatson have been brilliant with us. When I ever do need treatment that’s where I’ll be going for it.
“My wife’s aunt, Jill, was diagnosed with rare cancer at the same time last year. It’s safe to say cancer has hit our family hard.”
Jamie has so far raised £2,030 ahead of the Off the Beatson Track event. You can donate to his fundraiser here.