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We are seeing an increasing number of people with cancer under the age of 50 seeking support in our centres.

To raise awareness, people with cancer from across our 24 centres who are under 50 have shared their advice, support, and what they wish they knew before, to help others in similar situations.

You can also read their full stories here

Cancer lessons from under 50s

• 鈥淎lthough you will be a different or stronger person than pre-diagnosis, you are not defined by a diagnosis. You can still be healthy, fun, attractive, interesting, normal.鈥� Tom
• 鈥淐ancer is the rollercoaster ride nobody wants or should ever have to get on. When the highs occur, embrace them and, when the lows hit, reach out to whoever you need to at that difficult time. You are not alone 鈥� remember that.鈥� Gemma
• 鈥淵ou may not be able to do exactly what you were doing before, but anything you do now is an achievement.鈥� Aurora
• 鈥淔ind your escape 鈥� find something that you can positively absorb yourself into that is not cancer related, or find your cancer tribe who understand and who you don鈥檛 have to mask in front of.鈥� Sally
• 鈥淒on鈥檛 look things up online - it only makes things worse! Have your bad days, have your good days, ride the rollercoaster, comfort each other when you are in the depths of despair and celebrate with each other when you are able to.鈥� Ross G
• 鈥淚f you have a gut feeling, you must go with it. You must advocate for yourself, even though this can be awkward and hard. Don鈥檛 back down if you feel something is wrong.鈥� Hannah
• 鈥淐ancer is a personal experience, and it鈥檚 your choice how you want to handle it. You can tell everyone or no-one. You have to make sure you do what feels right for you.鈥� Imogen
• 鈥淚鈥檝e been very intentional in trying to say yes to things that make memories. I want my family鈥檚 memories of me being one of me smiling and being there in the moment.鈥� Ross A
• 鈥淭hose around you, even your nearest and dearest, have good intentions, but they need direction on how to support you. They are definitely not mind-readers! Be clear about what you need, want, would appreciate, and that those things may change day-to-day.鈥� Lizzi
• 鈥淢ake plans. Remember you are a person first and foremost, so don鈥檛 lose sight of what makes you happy. It鈥檚 easy to be absorbed by the diagnosis but by taking time to enjoy things, no matter how small, will help when times are difficult.鈥� Claire
• 鈥淢any people expected me to be all good again as soon as chemotherapy finished, but so much of the recovery and healing still remained. This was when I needed someone the most. Aftercare should be prioritised as well as the treatment itself.鈥� Roisin
• 鈥淟et鈥檚 all talk about cancer. You can鈥檛 upset me more than I already am, nor stress me out: I鈥檓 already thinking about it all the time! I鈥檒l appreciate your willingness to listen, and when I don鈥檛 want to talk about it, I鈥檒l let you know.鈥� Karl
• 鈥淚t鈥檚 okay not to feel okay about having cancer. Use resources like Maggie鈥檚, as it makes you feel like you are not alone.鈥�Kerry

Last review: Sep 2024 | Next review: Sep 2027