Young Leeds cancer survivor urges people to unite for World Cancer Day

That's the clear, no-nonsense, message from cancer survivor Emma Harling who is urging everyone to show solidarity with other people diagnosed with the disease.

The 20-year-old, from Burley-in-Wharfedale, is backing Cancer Research UK’s campaign for World Cancer Day and is urging everyone to join her by donating or wearing the charity’s Unity Band on Thursday, February 4.

The Unity Band is available in three different colours - pink, navy and blue. It can be worn in memory of a loved one, to celebrate people who’ve overcome cancer or in support of those going through treatment.

Every year, around 31,000 people are diagnosed with the disease in Yorkshire and the Humber.* By donating or getting a Unity Band, people across the region will be raising money to help get life-saving research back on track after the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Cancer Research UK expects to see its fundraising income decline by a staggering £300m over the next three years, which could put future breakthroughs at risk for people like Emma.

It’s thanks to progress in cancer research that she will be able to celebrate both her 21st birthday - which falls on the day before World Cancer Day - and being cancer-free.

Emma, a former pupil at Ilkley Grammar School, was diagnosed with cancer in August of 2020. She had been suffering from pain and discomfort for some time.

She said: “My stomach began to swell, and I could feel something in my tummy. I was being sick, not eating much, but I had put on a stone in weight, yet my face looked hollow, like I had lost weight. I did about 15 pregnancy tests, but they were all negative.”

Her GP thought it might be IBS, but the pain was getting much worse. “It was so bad and I was also finding it difficult to go for a wee. I knew something wasn’t right,” recalled Emma.

Emma’s mum, Lisa Horrox, who is a nurse, remembered a previous Be Clear on Cancer Campaign - led by the Public Health England, in partnership with the Department of Health, NHS England and Cancer Research UK - which mentioned difficulty urinating as one of the symptoms of ovarian cancer.

Emma added: “She encouraged me to go for more tests. I was then sent for a scan which showed a large 22 cm mass in my abdomen. They thought it was cancer had spread extensively and I was told to expect a full hysterectomy. But thankfully I didn’t need one because a biopsy and tumour marker test showed it was actually germ cell ovarian cancer – a malignant tumour on my right ovary and fallopian tube and a benign mass on my left ovary.”

In women, germ cell tumours begin in the ovarian cells that develop into eggs (germ cells) and can spread to other parts of the body. They are rare and usually affect girls and young women up to their early 30s. Only about 1 or 2% of ovarian cancers are this type.

Emma started on a course of chemotherapy at the Leeds Cancer Centre to shrink the tumour before surgery to remove it. She had to take sick leave from at her job in financial services. The chemo made her tired and she decided to shave her long hair off after it started to fall out, turning to wearing headscarves and drawing on her eyebrows and eyelashes.

The good news was the chemo worked and she had surgery to remove the tumour just before Christmas on December 17.

She said: “The tumour had shrunk to 9cm – from the size of a melon to that of and orange – they took it out along with my right ovary and fallopian tube.”

At a follow-up in early January of this year she was given the great news that there was no longer any sign of cancer. She is now back at work, working from home because of Covid, and starting to get her life back on track. And she is so grateful to her mum for spotting the symptoms from the Be Clear on Cancer campaign

She said: “I never thought at 20 I would get cancer. I loved going out and spending time with my friends. I had a great job. Then suddenly everything changed. I didn’t think I would get to my 21st birthday.

“Now I am getting back to normal, I live on my own with my cat and although missing spending time with my friends because of Covid, I have been enjoying cooking and baking. I won’t be able to have the big 21st birthday party I had hoped for, but there is still lots to celebrate – to be 21 and cancer free on the day before World Cancer Day. And there is always next year!”

“I feel like I’ve been given a second chance and I want to make the most of it. That includes helping to raise vital awareness and funds. It’s because of improvements in treatment and awareness that I’m still here today, planning my future and looking forward to spending more time with those dear to me. It’s upsetting to think about research being slowed down and what this might mean for people like me in the months and years to come.

“That’s why I am proud to wear my Unity Band. And I want people across Yorkshire to show their support on World Cancer Day and help make a real difference to people with cancer.

They can get a Unity Band or find more information via cruk.org/worldcancerday.”

World Cancer Day is an international initiative, uniting people around the world on February 4 to beat the disease.

In the UK, survival has doubled in the last 40 years and Cancer Research UK’s work has been at the heart of that progress. But right now, research is under threat.

One in two people in the UK will get cancer in their lifetime**, which is why the charity is absolutely determined to continue to create better cancer treatments for tomorrow.

Nicki Embleton, Cancer Research UK spokesperson for Yorkshire, said: “COVID-19 has hit us hard, so we are very grateful to Emma for her support and helping to underline the stark reality of the current situation.

“Our research has played a role in developing 8 of the world’s top 10 cancer drugs and we’re working every day to find new ways to prevent, diagnose and treat the disease. But we can’t do it alone.

“By donating to mark World Cancer Day people in the area will be funding world-class research to help more people, like Emma, survive. Together, we will beat cancer.”

Donate or get a Unity Band online at: cruk.org/worldcancerday*************************

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Laura Collins