When Eve Addison developed a strange swelling in her collarbone after drinking gin and tonic, she assumed she must have an allergy. But when switching brands failed to help - and she developed night sweats and a rash - she saw her GP. To her horror, tests revealed the 24-year-old was suffering Hodgkin Lymphoma - cancer of the lymphatic system. The most common symptom of Hodgkin lymphoma is one or more painless swellings in the neck, armpit or groin. Eve Addison, now 24, developed a strange swelling in her collarbone whenever she drank gin and tonic - and assumed she must have develoepd an allergy . But she became worried when switching brands failed to help - and she developed night sweats and a rash . These swellings are enlarged lymph nodes - oval-shaped glands that help the body recognise and fight germs. About 70 per cent of people diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma have a swollen lymph node in their neck. Usually, the swollen nodes don't hurt, but in some people like Miss Addison, they can be painful - especially after drinking alcohol. Following her diagnosis in January 2014, she has now been given the all clear - and is sharing her story to make others aware of the condition. Miss Addison, a marketing manager from Merseyside, began suffering the symptoms in September 2013. She said: 'I suppose, looking back, alcohol did save my life. 'I had been feeling unwell for a while and every time I went out, I'd come back with swelling and pain. To her horror, tests revealed the 24-year-old was suffering Hodgkin Lymphoma - cancer of the lymphatic system - and she endured six months of chemotherapy . The most common symptom of Hodgkin lymphoma is one or more painless swellings in the neck, armpit or groin. Usually, the swollen nodes don't hurt, but in some people like Miss Addison, they can be painful - especially after drinking alcohol . The most common symptom of Hodgkin lymphoma is one or more painless swellings in the neck, armpit or groin. These swellings are enlarged lymph nodes. About 70 per cent of people diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma have a swollen lymph node in their neck. Lymph glands commonly swell during an infection but they then usually go back to normal over a short time. With a lymphoma, the lymph nodes often grow slowly and may be there for months or years before they are noticed. But sometimes they grow very quickly. Usually, the swollen nodes don't hurt. But some people say their lumps ache or are painful. And for some they are painful after drinking alcohol. About 25 per cent of patients have other more general symptoms such as: . Heavy sweating – especially at night . High temperatures that come and go with no obvious cause (often overnight) Losing a lot of weight over a short period of time . Itching, which may be worse after drinking alcohol . Cough or breathlessness . Abdominal pain or vomiting after drinking alcohol . Source: Cancer Research UK . 'I just thought nothing of it and when I went to the GP, I was told that there was nothing to worry about. 'When the doctor says "don't worry, you're going to be just fine", you believe them, don't you?' But by December, she had developed other symptoms and was given creams and anti-inflammatory drugs to deal with chest pain, night sweats and an all-over body rash. After her devastating diagnosis at the Royal Liverpool Hospital, Miss Addison underwent a six-month course of chemotherapy to rid herself of the disease, which affects around 1,900 people each year. The treatment not only left her drained, but triggered septicemia and a blood clot. 'I lost a lot of muscle and I was so drained all the time,' she recalled. 'I was so tired and in so much pain that I could barely stand up. 'Even though I was only 23, I felt like I had the body of a 90-year-old.' Despite her diagnosis - and starting chemotherapy almost instantly - she began a new job just days later, as planned. She also froze her eggs just in case the treatment rendered her infertile. To her relief, she was given the all-clear last September. And despite her harrowing experience, Miss Addison insists she would face cancer again if given the option. She said: 'It's indescribable how happy I was to get the all-clear - I've never felt happiness like it. 'My mum was the happiest person in the room when I heard the news. All of my family were so proud of me for getting through it.' She also believe she has a better perspective in life after beating cancer. 'The lessons I learnt from it have made me much more appreciative of what I have in life and I feel like I'm oddly lucky.' She is now planning to celebrate by running the Race for Life in her hometown in July.
Eve Addison developed strange swelling in her collarbone after gin . Switching brands didn't help and she felt dreadful on nights out . After suffering night sweats, tests revealed she had Hodgkin Lymphoma . One symptom is swollen lymph nodes in neck, which can hurt after alcohol .