Teenage Cancer Trust

Did you know in the past 30 years, cases of skin cancer have risen faster than any other type of cancer in the UK? Everyone should practice sun safety to try and stop your skin being damaged by the sun, and using sunscreen is one of the most important ways to do this. From expiry dates to applying with make-up, here are 10 things you need to know about sunscreen. To learn more about sun safety, head over to this link: https://lnkd.in/extCyN_Z #SunSafety #Melanoma #SkinCancer #Sunscreen #CancerAwareness

“Without a shadow of a doubt, I wouldn’t be here today without a clinical trial.”   This morning, Harry Brown, a young person we supported through treatment, and his parents shared Harry’s cancer experience on BBC Breakfast.   Our Director of Services, Amy Harding, joined presenters Sally Nugent and Jon Kay on the red sofa, with our Chief Nurse Louise Soanes featuring earlier in conversation with Harry online.   At 17, Harry Brown was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia. He was enrolled in a CAR T-cell therapy trial at Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust – a ground-breaking treatment in which his own T cells were modified to recognise and attack leukaemia cells.   However, Harry’s story is far from the norm. Too many young people face access barriers that leave them unable to take advantage of innovative new treatments that could increase their chances of survival. Age criteria applied to trials continue to exclude young people, and it was only through rushed paperwork that Harry became eligible.   Amy Harding called for urgent collaborative action, saying: ‘clinical trials offer hope…it’s so important that age restrictions are more flexible.’   To watch back, head to BBC iPlayer where it’s available until 6AM tomorrow and for more on Harry’s story visit: https://lnkd.in/eYEqqGny   Thanks to BBC Breakfast, particularly Jayne McCubbin, for the excellent and important feature. Everyone deserves a fair shot at survival.   #BBC #BBCBreakfast #ClinicalTrials #CancerSupport #AndYoungPeople

When your cancer treatment ends, life can look different. It can feel hard to get back to ‘normal’, or even work out what that means for you - it’s often full of complicated and conflicting emotions. It’s ok to not know how you feel, or have mixed feelings. If the world seems strange after finishing treatment, don’t worry - it takes time to adjust to life after cancer.   For more information on the support available after cancer, head to our website ➡️https://lnkd.in/enA623rf   #LifeAfterCancer #CancerTreatment #CancerSupport #CancerAwareness

Paula Radcliffe’s recent reveal of initially dismissing the early signs of cancer in her 13-year-old daughter as teenage symptoms and behaviour is a strong and timely message. Parents are not alone. An NHS survey found that nearly half (48%) of teenagers and young adults diagnosed with cancer had to see their GP three or more times before referral. Teenage Cancer Trust research shows that less than half of 18–24-year-olds can identify any of the five main warning signs of cancer in young people. With cancer killing more of this age group in the UK than any other disease, these are worrying statistics. The National Cancer Plan for England, published later this year, can be a real game-changer if it leverages young people’s voices and reflects their unique needs, including: - A focus on faster diagnosis – the current routes are prolonged and too complex. - Improving access to potentially life-saving clinical trials. Age criteria continue to exclude young people and the shift towards 'decentralisation' should not overlook their specialist treatment needs. - Empowering GPs and all other primary care workers to spot the signs of cancer in young people, reinforced by a Government-led public health campaign. - Recognising this age group require access to specialist psychological services. The current postcode lottery urgently needs addressing. Strong healthcare is the foundation for young people to achieve their dreams. Since working as a cancer nurse with children and young people, the patient pathway has improved, but there is still so much more to do. If decision-makers act now, more young people will survive cancer as Isla, Paula Radcliffe’s daughter has. But for them, progress must be a sprint not a marathon. Our Chief Nurse Louise Soanes explores how 2025 can be a game-changing year for young people with cancer. Read the full piece in Nursing Times: https://lnkd.in/euRNQDf9 #CancerSupport #CancerAwareness #TYA #SignsAndSymptoms #NursingTimes

We're excited to announce we’ve been nominated for a Marketing Week Award! 🏆 💙 Our multi-channel campaign - Cancer Care, Made for Young people - aimed at improving understanding of what Teenage Cancer Trust does - has been shortlisted for the Excellence in the Charity Sector award. The campaign was developed with minimal budget in-house by the charity's creative, marketing and comms teams, and achieved nationwide press coverage. This was alongside UK-wide out of home and print coverage with our partners Bauer Media Outdoor UK, Open Media UK, Aldi UK and Newsquest Media Group – who we owe a massive thank you to for their support. 💙 We look forward to the award ceremony in October where the winner will be announced. #MarketingWeek #Campaign #AwardNomination #CancerCare #CancerSupport

We’re incredibly proud to share ‘Hamish’s Marvelous Night Out’ – a fundraising event led by a young person previously supported by us - has been shortlisted for the Special Event of the Year (under £100,000 raised) award at the The Emma’s (Emma Live) 2025. This award celebrates the incredible work of charities and suppliers yearly, and we’re excited to have Hamish’s work recognised. At age 20, Hamish Graham was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) after previously being treated for medulloblastoma brain tumour at seven years old. Following support from Teenage Cancer Trust, Hamish inspired a range of fundraising events under 'Hamish's Challenge' in aid of Teenage Cancer Trust - including his ball ‘Hamish’s Marvelous Night Out’.  We’re grateful to have a young person supported by us championed for their fundraising efforts, especially in doing so for us. Thank you to the Emma’s for the nomination and the amazing Hamish for all his hard work! #CancerSupport #AwardNomination #TheEmmas

“Walking into the hospital and seeing the older patients’ units was daunting, but when we arrived at the Teenage Cancer Trust unit I looked at my mum and said, ‘we’re going to be fine’. It just felt different.” After several visits to the GP and a misdiagnosis of tendinitis, aged 18, Gracie was diagnosed with spindle cell sarcoma in 2011. She shares the story of her diagnosis and experience with Teenage Cancer Trust. “When the GP called my dad and said he was coming over later that evening I thought it was a bit odd, but assumed it was just because he was close to our family, and he just wanted to tell us I had a fracture or something simple. “When he arrived, my younger brother was asked to leave the room, and the atmosphere shifted. The GP told us he suspected Ewing sarcoma, a form of bone cancer, and that I would need a biopsy. After the biopsy I was then told it was spindle cell sarcoma. “When my treatment started it was intense and meant I had to spend lots of time on the unit. The cancer, chemo and the surgery affected my bone significantly. This meant that even after treatment I required multiple surgeries.” “From the get-go Teenage Cancer Trust helped me understand the emotional and physical toll that cancer and chemo take on you. They supported me to work through my feelings without guilt or shame. The support wasn’t just for me—it was also for my family, who learned how to cope with the challenges they were facing too. We never felt isolated. From pizza nights to my mum and dad being able to stay with me, they helped us stay as close-knit as possible during one of the toughest times of our lives.” 14 years later, Gracie has had a baby, run the London Marathon for Teenage Cancer Trust, and continues to fundraise for us in different ways. For more information on sarcoma symptoms and treatment, follow the link: https://bit.ly/4nsDDSJ #SpindleCellSarcoma #SarcomaAwareness #CancerSupport

We’d like to say a huge thank you to Aldi UK for raising an incredible £12 million to help support young people with cancer 💙 Not only that, they have extended their commitment with a new target of £20 million by 2031 🌟 We can’t thank Aldi colleagues and customers across the UK enough for their dedication to fundraising. Aldi’s commitment will allow us to continue providing the specialised care, vital support services, and dedicated facilities for young people undergoing cancer treatment across the UK.   #Partnerships #CancerSupport #Aldi #TeamAldi #CorporatePartnerships #AldiUK

The Prime Minister has launched the Government’s 10-Year Health Plan to bring the NHS ‘closer to home’. What will its initiatives mean for young people with cancer? Chief Executive for Teenage Cancer Trust, Kate Collins said: “The publication of the 10-Year Health Plan could mark the start of a defining decade for improving the care, support and survival chances for young people with cancer. “The announcement of Neighbourhood Health Services has the potential to address some of the barriers young people face in accessing clinical trials. However, for that potential to become a reality, it must include decentralisation of key aspects of trials, including bringing consent forms, blood tests, scanning and medication to young people’s homes or GP surgery, rather than requiring them to travel. Young people with cancer can already get lost in a system that’s not designed for them, so it will be imperative that further decentralisation doesn’t deepen the disadvantages they face. “Improving faster diagnosis is also vital, so it’s imperative the new cohort of GPs is empowered to spot the signs of cancer in young people. A 2023 survey found that nearly half (48%) of teenagers and young adults diagnosed with cancer had to see their GP three or more times before referral – the most out of any age group. “While the shifts outlined today are a welcome framework for change, the National Cancer Plan for England published later this year must drive forward more specific commitments that address young people’s unique needs, many of which will still need to be met in specialist cancer centres. “The National Cancer Plan has the potential to be a game-changer in increasing survival and improving the quality of life for young people with cancer. However, it must reflect their voices, including more detailed strategies that speed-up diagnosis, improve access to clinical trials, widen vital specialist psychological support and strengthen data collection. “That is the optimum route for lasting, impactful and equitable change.” #HealthPlan #CancerSupport #CancerAwareness #GPtraining

Yesterday we were pleased to meet with Minister for Public Health and Prevention, Ashley Dalton MP and Steve Yemm MP to discuss our work on clinical trials and the parliamentary roundtable we hosted in April. During the meeting we discussed the barriers young people face in accessing clinical trials and the crucial steps needed to tackle these - including removing arbitrary age restrictions, improving data collection and ensuring national initiatives on clinical trials have a focus on the unique experiences that young people with cancer face. With the upcoming NHS 10-Year Plan and new Cancer Plan for England, we hope the Government takes this vital opportunity to implement the change needed for young people with cancer.