A New York resident, Jess Potter, developed a routine of bringing a carbon monoxide detector when traveling. At the time, she had no idea another illness lay undetected within her. Her actions reflected widespread health concerns among Americans. A 2026 survey by the American Psychiatric Association revealed that 55% of over 2,200 U.S. adults felt anxious about their health.
For years, Potter from Rochester suffered from health anxiety. It reached a level where she made sure to pack a carbon monoxide detector for hotel stays. She shared, “I’ve read numerous articles about people dying from carbon monoxide in hotels, so I always take mine. I have health anxiety, and it felt like a small but important precaution.”
Initially, Potter’s health issues stemmed from anxiety alone. That changed in late 2025. In October of that year, she went through “about three months” of frequent illness. “I assumed it was bronchitis and winter flu,” Potter explained. However, her persistent health problems soon demanded attention. A visit to the doctor marked a swift escalation.
“I had an enlarged lymph node in my neck and bronchitis,” stated Potter. “After some biopsies, they diagnosed it as Hodgkin’s lymphoma.” This revelation turned Potter’s long-standing health anxiety into reality, which she confessed was “pretty difficult” to accept. “It felt like everything I feared had come true,” she expressed. Potter began chemotherapy immediately, with her condition improving since.
As Potter progresses in her recovery, she reflects on the irony of carrying a carbon monoxide detector yet being unaware of her cancer back in October. “I’ve always been overly cautious about my health,” Potter mentioned. “It was ironic that despite my precautions, I wasn’t aware of my cancer.”
This surprising turn of events made Potter hope her experience motivates others to be observant about their health. She advised, “Always check out anything concerning on your body.” Potter added, “Despite my caution, I still had an underlying cancer. I wish to inspire others to listen to their bodies and take action.”
For more information on this story, contact Newsweek’s editors Rebecca Flood and Emma Lee-Sang.
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