Posted On: 6th Aug 2014
Fixer Hayley Mills
Hayley's late friend Elise, who lost her battle with cancer
Paul Gathercole, CLIC Sargent
After losing a close friend to cancer last year, Hayley Mills from Leeds is encouraging more young people to get checked sooner.
Her story was broadcast on ITV News Calendar on Thursday 7th August.
The 25-year-old wants others her age to take health issues seriously and speak to someone if they have concerns, stressing that young people can get cancer too.
Deeply affected by the death of her friend, she hopes to help others recognise the warning signs before it's too late.
‘I first met Elise when she was 18,’ explains Hayley.
‘She was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 22 and died when she was 25. It was horrible. I felt like there was nothing I could do to take any of her pain away.
‘It’s really important for me to get my message out there because the sooner things are detected, the earlier they can be treated.’
With Fixers, Hayley and her team are helping to produce a leaflet urging young people to seek medical advice if they’re worried about their health.
Supporting her campaign is Paul Gathercole from the CLIC Sargent cancer charity, who features in the broadcast item explaining how an early diagnosis can make all the difference.
He says: ‘In Yorkshire and Humberside, something like 190 young people between 15 and 24 will be diagnosed with cancer each year.
‘Cancers that affect this age group can be particularly aggressive, so the sooner they get expert medical care and attention, the better the treatment outcomes are likely to be.’
Hayley adds: ‘Having the chance to get my message across to other young people makes me feel pretty incredible.
‘Even if it’s just one person whose life we save, then something positive can be taken from the campaign.’
Not letting cancer dampen his spirits, see how Peterborough
Fixer Ben Clifton is inspiring others with the disease to stay positive.