Felipe Escobedo, a 19-year-old student from Georgia, says TikTok helped him discover a serious health issue after he noticed a lump on his neck in videos he made while trying a popular yoghurt trend. He was testing Coconut Cult yoghurt daily, following claims it reduced bloating, but soon realized his neck looked “curvy” due to a growing lump.
Though painless, the lump felt like a small hard rock under his jaw. Doctors first thought it was a cold or flu, but when it became inflamed, Felipe sought emergency care. Surgeons found several lumps and removed one urgently.
He was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma, a rare cancer affecting lymph nodes, which often causes painless swelling. While aggressive, the cancer is treatable. Felipe’s cancer had spread to his stomach and lungs, making it stage three, but doctors remain optimistic.
Felipe is preparing for chemotherapy and credits TikTok for helping him spot the sign early. He mentioned having a persistent cough since February, which he ignored as a common college ailment. Now, he urges others to pay close attention to symptoms like prolonged coughing or lumps and to seek medical help quickly.
His story highlights the power of early detection and how social media can play a surprising role in health awareness.