A TEENAGE Kidderminster lymphatic cancer sufferer has contributed to a new guide aimed at helping young adults diagnosed with the disease cope with the news.
‘Young Person’s Guide to Lymphoma’ has been produced by the Lymphoma Association charity and features a contribution from 19-year-old Ellie Philpotts.
The free guide is written specifically for young people who are diagnosed with lymphoma – which is the most common cancer in 15 to 24-year-olds.
It explains lymphoma, treatment and possible side effects and also looks at coping with feelings and has easy-to-understand illustrations to help explain complex information.
Ellie, who is studying English Literature and Journalism at Cardiff University was diagnosed with lymphoma at the age of 15.
She said: “The Lymphoma Association was invaluable to me when I had Hodgkin lymphoma aged 15 in 2011. Their Young Person's Guide of the time was something I read a lot.
“During treatment and beyond, I was particularly motivated by hearing other young patients and survivors' experiences and advice, so it's fantastic to now be able to offer hope of my own to those more recently diagnosed.”
In November 2015, Ellie was awarded a Lymphoma Association Beacon of Hope Award for her work in raising awareness of lymphoma among young people.
Jonathan Pearce, chief executive of the Lymphoma Association, said: “This new booklet is a valuable tool for any young lymphoma patient, or any health professional working with young lymphoma patients, to help support them through their cancer diagnosis, treatment and after care.
“Receiving a lymphoma diagnosis at a young age can be devastating. This booklet encourages young people to be informed about their illness and its treatment as well as empower them to ask questions, make notes and share the guide with their loved ones.
“It was developed with the help of nine young people, all of whom have had a lymphoma diagnosis. Their input ensured that the guide, from the very first page, was written with young people in mind.”
The booklet is available from the Lymphoma Association’s website: www.lymphomas.org.uk/about-lymphoma/booklets/young-persons-guide-lymphoma
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