Wigan girl told blood cancer has growing pains, given the all-clear

A teenager who was initially told by a doctor that her cancer symptoms were growing pains says she feels “overwhelmed” after being given the go-ahead.

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

She got the all clear earlier this week, previously urging teenagers to get checked out and trust their instincts.

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

“It was quite a surreal experience to be able to make the call (to signal that I’m cancer free) with a lot of people supporting me – it was a feeling you can never get back.”

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

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

“They introduce you to other kids who are going through the same thing… so you can relate to everything,” Alessia said.

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

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

“It’s hard, so you have to be patient,” she said.

“Make sure you listen to your body and do what feels right – don’t push yourself or limit yourself when you feel like doing something.”

Hodgkin’s lymphoma is among the most common types of cancer found in the 13-24 age group, but getting a diagnosis can be difficult because symptoms are sometimes mistaken for growing pains or infections, the Teenage Cancer Trust said.

NHS England has been contacted for comment.