Brave UCLan student, Jonny Cunliffe, has made an educational film about cancer to raise awareness of the disease following his own personal experience.

Jonny, 19, was diagnosed with a cancerous brain tumour back in September 2006 after enduring symptoms of migraines for two weeks.  The severity of his headaches was questioned after a routine visit to his optician raised cause for concern.  He was referred for a CT scan which is when the tumour was detected.

Jonny was then transferred to the Young Oncology Unit (YOU) at the Christie Centre in Manchester where he undertook six weeks of Radiotherapy.

Now studying Music Theatre at UCLan, he said: “Now I feel great.  I feel that I have very little wrong with me and I am able to feel really positively because I am at the university”.

Jonny became involved with The Christie Crew, a group of ex-patients who were all treated at the YOU at Manchester’s cancer hospital, while undergoing treatment for his tumour.  They decided to make a film to warn other young people of the symptoms of cancer.

The group meet once or twice a month to discuss ideas on promoting the YOU, fundraising and boosting awareness of the disease in the teenage generation.

Jonny continued:  “Our recent campaign is the ‘Sometimes it’s Cancer’ (SIC), DVD.  SIC is aimed at teenagers in schools and points out key signs and symptoms that may occur and could result in a form of cancer.  We aimed to make the young people maybe just think twice because it isn’t just ‘old-people’ that get cancer.  With the signs and symptoms described in the DVD we hope people will think that actually ‘sometimes it’s cancer’.”

The DVD features the personal thoughts and experiences of the group both before and after they were diagnosed with the disease.

The Teenage Cancer Trust states that every day in the UK, six teenagers find out they have the illness.  They are constructing 22 units in NHS hospitals for the treatment of teenagers and young adults with cancer.

Talking about the effects of his tumour, Jonny said: “All I would say is that the key is to always stay positive.  When I was ill I remained positive and happy throughout and because my family and friends saw that I was being so positive, they became more positive about the situation”.

“Sometimes it’s Cancer” will be premiering at Lancashire Cricket Club in Manchester on 28 November at 7pm.  Further details can be found via e-mail: lorraine.case@christie.nhs.uk.