Girl told cancer was growing pains given all-clear

Alessia encourages people to "be persistent" and trust their instincts

A teenager who was initially told by a doctor her cancer symptoms were growing pains says she feels "overwhelmed" after being given the all-clear.

Alessia was diagnosed with stage four Hodgkin lymphoma, which can cause fatigue and swelling, after she became excessively tired and had painful joints last summer.

The 16-year-old, from Wigan, said treatment was “really hard” and that she felt “on edge” after previous scans.

She found out about the all-clear earlier this week, having previously urged teenagers to get checked and trust their instincts.

“I was really overwhelmed – it was what I had been waiting for and what I wanted to hear," Alessia told BBC Radio Manchester.

“It was quite a surreal experience to be able to ring the bell [to signal I was cancer-free] with loads of people that support me – it was a feeling that you’ll never be able to get back.”

She plans to celebrate by spending time with loved ones and will model with her sister next week at a Manchester fashion show in aid of a women’s charity.

'Listen to your body'

She is also organising a ball next year in aid of Teenage Cancer Trust, which she said “uplifted” her with support workers and put her in touch with other young people diagnosed with cancer.

“They introduce you to other children going through the same thing… so you can relate with everything," Alessia said.

“It’s something that no-one else can really understand.”

An average of 2,300 youngsters are diagnosed with cancer every year, Cancer Research data suggests.

Alessia said it was something she had to “take in your stride”, adding she had “just got to move on with it”.

“It’s tough so you have to be patient," she said.

"Make sure you listen to your body and do what you feel is right – don’t push yourself and don’t limit yourself off when you feel like you want to do something.”

Hodgkin lymphoma is among the most common cancers found in the 13-24 age group, yet getting a diagnosis can be difficult as symptoms are sometimes confused with growing pains or infections, the Teenage Cancer Trust said.

NHS England was approached for a comment.