'I don't want cancer to derail my dreams'

Billie, now 16, was diagnosed with cancer when she was 13

A teenager who was diagnosed with a rare cancer when she was 13 said she was determined not to let the disease "derail her dreams".

Billie, now 16, from Somercotes in Derbyshire, had chemotherapy treatment for Hodgkin lymphoma after being diagnosed in August 2022 and had to use a wheelchair after she developed complications.

Emma, Billie's mum, said her daughter - who was in remission - had bounced back after her treatment and was keen to pursue a career in beauty.

She added Billie had been preparing for the national finals of Miss Teen Great Britain on 10 October.

'We all cried'

Billie and her family first realised something might be wrong when she discovered a lump under her arm during a family holiday to Majorca in 2022.

The teenager was referred to hospital for tests after visiting her GP.

Billie said: "They did loads of blood tests and a chest X-ray and they found a mass. As soon as they found it, I knew that it was cancer. I had a bad feeling about it.

"They then took lots of blood to test and did a scan. I chose not to be in the room for the results, so they told my mum and dad first, and then they told me.

"Even though I thought it could be cancer, I was still shocked when I heard the news. I thought 'no way'. It was so surreal. We all cried."

Hodgkin lymphoma is an uncommon cancer that develops in the lymphatic system, which is a network of vessels and glands spread throughout your body.

The most common symptom is a painless swelling in a lymph node, usually in the neck, armpit or groin.

Billie's mum Emma said it was heartbreaking to see what her daughter went through

Her mum said: "Seeing Billie go through what she has been through, it's not nice for any parent to see it, it's been quite heartbreaking."

At one point Billie's weight fell to four stone (25.4kg) before she entered remission in December 2022.

"Her clothes were just hanging off her, she obviously lost her hair. She looked in the mirror and said 'who is this person? It's not even me," Emma added.

Her mum said she was "proud as anything" of Billie - who was taking part in the national finals of Miss Teen Great Britain - and had wanted to pursue modelling since she was about 11.

Miss Teen Great Britain says it is not a beauty contest, but about empowering teenagers, having fun, making friends and memories.

"I feel so happy for her to have this opportunity to do something like this because we never thought she would have been able to," Emma said.

Billie said: "I don't want cancer to derail my dreams, so when I was starting to feel better again, I started performing arts, doing dance again and I started to pursue modelling again."

Billie is to compete in the final of Miss Teen Great Britain this month

Billie added she was supporting the Teenage Cancer Trust's #Stillme campaign, which focused on the impact that changes to appearance caused by cancer and treatment could have on mental health.

Dr Louise Soanes, chief nurse at the Teenage Cancer Trust, said: "We're thankful to the young people involved in our campaign for helping us shine a light on just one of the issues affecting their mental health and believe them sharing their experiences and tips will make a positive difference."