New York Woman’s Journey from Health Anxiety to Cancer Diagnosis

A woman from New York who always traveled with a carbon monoxide detector recently discovered she was fighting a serious, undetected illness. Jess Potter, from Rochester, was part of a growing number of Americans concerned about their health. A 2026 poll by the American Psychiatric Association, surveying over 2,200 U.S. adults, revealed that 55% were anxious about their health.

Potter had long battled health anxiety. Her concerns led her to bring a carbon monoxide detector when staying in hotels. She explained, “I saw many articles about people dying in hotels from carbon monoxide.” This habit stemmed from her health anxiety, and she considered it foolish to overlook such precautions.

For years, Potter’s health worries were only a source of anxiety. However, that changed dramatically late last year. In October 2025, Potter faced an ongoing period of illness lasting about three months. Initially, she thought it was bronchitis or the winter flu.

“I just thought it was bronchitis and the winter flu,” she said.

Eventually, her persistent illnesses led her to seek medical advice. She visited a doctor, where the situation quickly intensified. Doctors found an enlarged lymph node in her neck and diagnosed her with bronchitis. Further tests revealed she had Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

This diagnosis marked a significant turn for Potter. Her health anxieties became real, and she acknowledged it was challenging to come to terms with. “It kind of seemed like everything I always worried about finally happened,” she shared, adding that she began chemotherapy and saw improvement.

Reflecting on her past caution, Potter now sees irony in her past preparation. She was always attentive to health matters, yet unaware of her cancer diagnosis. “I have always been super cautious about anything health-related,” she remarked. It felt ironic not knowing about her condition while trying to stay healthy.

Despite these unexpected events, Potter hopes to motivate others to be vigilant about their health and symptoms. She encourages people to get checked for any concerning issues. “I was always cautious and still faced underlying cancer,” she said, hoping to inspire others to listen to their bodies and care for themselves.

For further information, contact Newsweek editors Rebecca Flood and Emma Lee-Sang.