In April, cancer charity, Candlelighters, is joining a nationwide effort to mark Teenage and Young Adult Cancer Awareness Month.
Alongside 21 other specialist charities, Candlelighters is spotlighting the unique emotional and physical hurdles faced by the 2,300 teenagers and young adults diagnosed with cancer in the UK every year.
For most teenagers, life is a whirlwind of milestones and new beginnings. However, a cancer diagnosis shifts that focus towards hospital stays, gruelling treatments, and significant life interruptions.
Emily Wragg, CEO of Candlelighters said:
While the assistance offered by Candlelighters is accessible to families of children aged 0-18, some of our services are particularly relevant to teenagers.
These young people are already juggling the unique challenges of growing up when they are suddenly forced to face the huge impact of cancer treatment.
Specialised support for unique challenges.
To combat the isolation that often accompanies long-term illness, Candlelighters employs a dedicated Youth Support Worker at Leeds Children’s Hospital. This role ensures that patients aged 13–19 can participate in engaging activities that bolster their mental wellbeing and allow them to connect with peers on the same journey.
The charity also offers specialist counselling, with professional support to help teenagers process complex feelings and develop coping strategies. Their family events provide opportunities to build friendships and create positive memories outside of a clinical setting. They also help with peer connection, reducing the isolation caused by being away from school, college, or university.
Addressing the hidden toll.
The impact of cancer extends far beyond the physical symptoms. Treatment often leads to hair loss, scarring, and weight fluctuations, which can devastate the self-esteem of a young person still forming their identity. And the disruption of education and social circles often leads to increased anxiety and depression.
Emily said:
Cancer treatment can affect a teenager’s mental health, body image, and their future.
Candlelighters is here to help them navigate these hurdles and ensure they don’t have to face them alone.
Finlay’s story
In November 2024, 14-year-old Finlay visited the doctors three times about pain in his back, which eventually caused him to collapse. His mum requested a blood test and the shocking result was leukaemia.
One year on, and following several gruelling rounds of chemotherapy and pancreatitis (painful swelling of the pancreas), Finlay has moved onto maintenance treatment.
Finlay said:
Recently, I was told that my cancer had a high chance of coming back. From this, I was offered a clinical trial. Initially, I really didn’t want to do it because it involved seven more rounds of intense chemotherapy.
This was something that me, my family, and the hospital team discussed for five weeks before I decided that I wanted to give the trial a go.
I didn’t want my cancer to come back, so it was something I was hopeful for. The trial was hard. Three rounds in, I was admitted back into hospital as my bloods weren’t right, and I was neutropenic, meaning I had a high risk of dangerous infection. I had more tests, more scans and more treatment, but I got better, and I have now completed the trial.
In maintenance, I have been able to return to doing things that I did before my diagnosis – riding my bike, going out with my friends, and going to a few parties. Life is not the same as it was before, but I am beginning to enjoy doing ‘normal’ things again.
Throughout all this, Candlelighters have been there for the good days and the bad. Candlelighters help me and my family get through the days of what feels like endless hospital appointments. They are always so positive and can make the days a little bit easier.
Chelsey is my favourite. She is the Youth Support Worker. We have been able to have a laugh and a joke when I have been on the ward, and she has been able to handle my banter when I have been the cheeky chap that I am. My family and I wanted to give back, so we formed a Candlelighters fundraising team – Team FinCush.
If I had to give some advice to someone who has cancer, it would be: don’t take life for granted; always look at the positives, and keep smiling, keep laughing.
