An eyelash technician who developed a lump on her neck told herself it was nothing and thought her shoulder pain was simply caused by the physical strain of her job, only for scans to reveal the devastating truth.
For eight years, Sarah Esposito, 26, gradually built her career in the beauty industry, working as a lash technician and permanent makeup artist. She said News week that she “really loved” her work and was happy to dedicate so much time to it.
But everything changed in February 2026 when Esposito of Toms River, New Jersey, woke up one morning and discovered a lump in her neck.
“One of the first signs that something was wrong was a lump in my neck,” Esposito said. “I noticed it months before my diagnosis, but I never imagined it could be something serious.”
At first she thought it was a crease in her neck caused by sleeping awkwardly.
She also began experiencing severe shoulder pain in the weeks that followed. Since much of her job requires bending over patients during procedures, she assumed it was just part of the regular back pain she had become accustomed to.
Still, Esposito couldn’t shake the feeling that something was wrong.
As a result, she made an appointment with her doctor to have the lump in her neck examined.
“Eventually, I started experiencing other symptoms, including chest and back pain, especially when I took deep breaths. What I didn’t know at the time was that there was a large mass growing inside my chest,” Esposito continued.
She had a PET scan that showed cancerous lymph nodes in her neck and chest, as well as a seven-centimeter mass in her mediastinum (the chest cavity between the lungs).
“After undergoing several tests, scans and biopsy, I was diagnosed with classical Hodgkin lymphoma, a type of blood cancer, in June 2026,” Esposito said.
“Hearing the words ‘you have cancer’ at 26 is something I don’t think I can fully describe. One moment you’re living your normal life, and suddenly the future you imagined seems uncertain.”
What is Hodgkin lymphoma?
Hodgkin’s lymphoma is a cancer that affects the lymphatic system and is most commonly found in people in their 20s, 30s, and people over 65. Symptoms may include swollen lymph nodes, fever, fatigue, night sweats, weight loss, and itchy skin.
Rather than devoting his energy to his work and hobbies, Esposito says his life now revolves around doctor’s appointments, exams, blood tests and cancer treatment.
Indeed, cancer not only has an impact on one’s physical health, but also on one’s career. Esposito’s oncologist recommended that he “step away from this work” because of the risks associated with chemical exposure.
“Having to give up my career was devastating,” Esposito said. News week. “It wasn’t just about losing my income, but also about losing part of my identity, my independence, my routine and something I had worked incredibly hard to achieve.”
Dr. Luke Sorrell, board-certified internal medicine physician and founder of Sorrell MD, said News week that the oncologist’s caution is “reasonable”, given the link established between certain chemicals and certain cancers.
“When I run environmental toxin panels on patients, it’s rare to find someone without significant exposure,” Sorrell said. “Most people carry several at a time, including phthalates and parabens from personal care products and plastics.”
“We can’t say that her work caused her lymphoma. But she, like most of my patients, was probably exposed to many chemicals every day, and we are only beginning to understand how those exposures add up,” he continued.
Researchers have already linked benzene to acute myeloid leukemia, asbestos is linked to lung and ovarian cancers, and formaldehyde has been linked to sinus cancers and leukemia. Although no chemicals have been directly linked to the onset of classical Hodgkin lymphoma, Sorrell says more research is needed.
He continued: “Eyelash adhesives are made from cyanoacrylate, which can release formaldehyde as it cures, and some adhesives contain formaldehyde directly. Some permanent makeup pigments contain azo dyes that can break down into aromatic amines, carbon black with traces of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, and heavy metals.
What does the treatment involve?
Before beginning treatment, Esposito faced an important decision regarding his future. She always imagined herself as a mother one day, but suddenly, at the age of 26, she had to think about her plans to start a family because chemotherapy could impact her fertility.
Ultimately, she made the decision to undergo an egg retrieval procedure on July 11 so they could be frozen. Although she remains incredibly grateful to have had the opportunity to preserve her fertility, Esposito wishes it wasn’t something she even had to consider.
She said: “While I was trying to deal with a cancer diagnosis, I was also attending fertility appointments, giving myself hormone injections and undergoing egg retrieval. It was physically and emotionally overwhelming.
“While most people my age are thinking about their careers, relationships and what they want to do in life, I was thinking about cancer treatments and whether I would still have the chance to become a mother one day.”
Six days after egg retrieval, Esposito began her first chemotherapy treatment. Her diet plan includes six cycles, and this has already been one of the most difficult experiences she has had to endure.
She dealt with exhaustion, bone pain and nausea, but the most moving change came when she started losing her hair. Seeing large clumps fall out made everything much more visceral for Esposito, and she ultimately made the decision to shave her head.
“Even though I knew hair loss was a possibility, nothing really prepares you for looking in the mirror and seeing such a drastic change,” she said. “As someone who has worked in the beauty industry for years, my appearance and my ability to express myself through beauty has always been important.”
Esposito’s experience in health care inspired her to pursue a career in nursing. She returned to college to achieve this goal and hopes to help other patients in the future.
Throughout it all, Esposito has documented her cancer journey on social media (@sarahespositoo on TikTok). Being a young woman with cancer can be isolating, and it’s daunting to have to make so many life-changing decisions in rapid succession, but Esposito has been able to connect with many others and has built a supportive online community.
Staying positive is a priority for Esposito, but it’s also important for her to be honest about how exhausting cancer can be.
“There are days when I’m grateful, hopeful and strong, and there are other days when I’m frustrated, emotional and grieving the life I had before my diagnosis. I think both feelings can exist at the same time,” Esposito said.
Contact Newsweek editors on this story: Charlotte Nisbet and Tony Phillips.
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