Woman’s Health Anxiety Leads to Unexpected Cancer Diagnosis

A health-conscious New York woman developed the practice of bringing a carbon monoxide detector while traveling, unaware of an undetected illness she was already facing. Health concerns are prevalent among Americans today. A poll by the American Psychiatric Association in 2026 revealed that 55 percent of over 2,200 U.S. adults felt anxious about their health.

Jess Potter from Rochester experienced health anxiety for a long period. During hotel stays, she carried a carbon monoxide detector. “I saw many articles about carbon monoxide fatalities in hotels, so I started bringing one,” she stated. “I just have health anxiety and felt it was something important,” she added.

Initially, Potter’s health concerns revolved around anxiety, but this shifted dramatically late last year. In October 2025, she went through three months of persistent illness. “I believed it was bronchitis combined with winter flu,” Potter explained. However, as her ailments persisted, seeking medical advice became necessary. Upon a doctor’s visit, things escalated.

“I had an enlarged lymph node and bronchitis,” Potter mentioned. “After a few biopsies, they diagnosed Hodgkin’s lymphoma.” Her health anxiety became a reality, a development she found difficult to process. “It seemed like everything I worried about came true,” she reflected. “I started chemotherapy immediately, and since then my condition has improved.”

Potter has made notable progress toward recovery. Even as she continues to heal, she acknowledges the irony of carrying a carbon monoxide detector without knowing she was already unwell.

“I’ve always been cautious with health-related issues, and it felt ironic not knowing about the cancer while trying to prevent it,” Potter noted. Despite the unexpected turn of events, she hopes her story encourages others to be vigilant about their health and symptoms.

Potter urged people to “get checked out for anything concerning on their body.” She added, “I was always careful and still had undetected cancer, and I hope it inspires others to listen to their body and care for it.”

For inquiries on this story, contact Newsweek editors Rebecca Flood and Emma Lee-Sang.