A WOMAN facing the prospect of her cancer returning is remaining positive having beaten two different types of cancer already.

Ella Hines, 24, Newbury, has already overcome two different types of cancer and is now facing the prospect of it returning due to a genetic condition called Li-Fraumeni Syndrome (LFS).

This syndrome, caused by a defect in the TP53 gene, gives women a 90 per cent chance and men a 70 per cent chance of developing cancer in their lifetimes.

Ella first battled adrenal cortical cancer (ACC) at just 9 months old, followed by breast cancer at the age of 23.

Despite this, Ella remains positive and credits her survival to the drugs developed through the research efforts of Cancer Research UK.

New data released by Cancer Research UK on September 1 reveals that advances in cancer prevention, diagnosis, and treatment have resulted in approximately 1.2 million lives being saved from cancer-related deaths in the UK since the mid-1980s.

Ella's own battle with cancer has led her to join support groups and do extensive research on LFS.

She opted to have a mastectomy as a preventative measure at the age of 22 after learning about her high risk of developing cancer again.

However, she discovered she already had breast cancer before she had the chance to stop it from developing.

Ella emphasizes the emotional toll that losing her hair and self-confidence had on her, but she has since regained her sense of self and continues to receive treatments to prevent her breast cancer from returning.

There is hope on the horizon for Ella and others with LFS, as she has been informed about a new clinical trial for an anti-diabetes drug that could potentially benefit people with LFS.

The trial, funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) and Medical Research Council (MRC), aims to prevent or detect cancer at earlier stages in those with LFS.

The MILI trial plans to enroll 224 patients in the UK, with a parallel trial taking place in the US as well.

She said: “When I knew how likely I was to develop cancer again in the future, I opted to have a mastectomy at the age of 22 as a preventative measure. But before I got the chance to stop any tumours developing, my doctors discovered I already had breast cancer.

“I could cope with the medical side of it all, having the mastectomy and six rounds of chemotherapy. But the hardest part was losing my hair and my eyelashes for a while which then led to the complete loss of my self-confidence.

“I’d only been with my partner for two months and having him shave my hair off was very hard. I lost myself and my happiness. Now I look much more like myself again and my eyebrows and eyelashes have grown back so I feel more like me.”

Cancer Research UK spokesperson for the South East, Elisa Mitchell, expresses gratitude for the generosity and commitment of supporters, as their contributions have led to research breakthroughs that have impacted countless lives.

Elisa added: “Our research breakthroughs mean every day, people are being diagnosed earlier, have access to kinder and more effective treatments, and some cancers are prevented completely. As our new campaign shows, this all adds up to more moments with the people we love – and we’re grateful to Ella for sharing her own experience." 

Mitchell urges people in Berkshire to donate, fundraise, participate in events such as Shine Night Walks, or volunteer at Cancer Research UK shops to further support the fight against cancer.