Demi Jones has said “cancer doesn’t discriminate” as she bravely spoke out about her battle with the disease.
The former Love Island star was diagnosed with thyroid cancer in May 2021 just a few months after appearing on the winter version of the ITV2 dating show.
She underwent two surgeries and radiation treatment after finding a lump the size of a golf ball on her neck – and was finally given the all clear six months ago.
Now Demi, who has just turned 24, has sparked a rise in younger people getting checked and says “it could save your life”.
Appearing on YouTube show ‘ Reality with Will Njobvu’, the reality TV star said: “I think people forget that cancer doesn’t discriminate. It can come at you at any age.”
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She continued: “When I was diagnosed I was in a waiting room – no one deserves cancer obviously – but I was sat in a waiting room full of old people and I remember being so upset and thinking ‘Why me? I’ve just come off this amazing TV show, I’ve got all these opportunities and I’m 22 years old. Why?’
“Don’t let your young life get ahead of you. Make sure you’re taking the time to check and go to the doctors.
“Even if you get it checked and it’s nothing – and usually it is nothing – but that small percentage it can be, you could be saving your life.”
Thyroid cancer is a rare type of cancer that affects the thyroid gland, a small gland at the base of the neck which produces hormones.
It is most common in people in their 30s and those over the age of 60. While women are three times more likely to develop it than men, according to the NHS.
In most cases it can be cured completely, but sometimes it can return after treatment.
Since speaking about her illness, it was reported Google searches for thyroid cancer have gone up 90% and doctors say more people than ever are getting checked out.
Demi said: “I’m glad people are getting checked. I don’t wish cancer on anybody, but if they can catch it early and get rid of it and carry on with the rest of their life that’s what I could hope for.”
Tragically, at the time she was dealing with her own cancer, Demi’s beloved step-dad Adrian was told he also had the disease – and his was terminal.
Recalling the moment her life changed forever, Demi said: “When you hear the word cancer, it’s the maddest thing. They tell you you have cancer, then as soon as they say that word you do not hear anything else they say to you after that conversation. You just go numb.
“But I think, where my stepdad – he’s terminally ill with cancer and I live with him – we were going through that and I thought, no, I can get through mine. Mine is treatable cancer. I’ve got this. I’m a young, fit, healthy girl. I’ve found it early. I know I’m going to be fine. I always had it in me that I knew I was going to be fine.
“Bless my mum, she was living with two people with cancer - her daughter and her husband. He was given 12 months to live three years ago and he’s still here which is amazing.”
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