26-year-old diagnosed her own cancer after doctors repeatedly dismissed her severe itching

Sumbul Ari was told by doctors to simply moisturize to treat her itching – but nearly a year later, it turned out to be something far more serious than anyone expected.

When it comes to our health, we often trust doctors to make the right call and provide the correct treatment. But even though medicine has advanced significantly – with technology and research better than ever – it’s still important not to dismiss our own symptoms, even when we’re told it’s nothing serious. Something Sumbul Ar’s story makes crystal clear.

Sumbul Ari, 26, was experiencing severe itching and couldn’t even get a full night’s sleep due to how irritated her skin was. When she first went to the doctor, she was told to simply moisturize more. However, her symptoms persisted, and she returned multiple times – only to be sent home without a proper examination.

“At first I thought I was having a reaction to something – perfume, deodorant, washing products, shower products. I started an elimination process, but nothing helped,” she told PEOPLE.