A YOUNG woman has died a nasty looking insect bike turned out to be a rare but deadly disease.
Jenna Patel, 21, was training to be a primary school teacher when she first noticed a bump developing on her shoulder.
MEN MediaJenna went to GP with a lump that she thought was an insect bite[/caption]
MEN MediaJenna was preparing to become a primary school teacher when she was diagnosed with cancer[/caption]
The Edge Hill University student from Bolton, assumed the lump was an insect bite, but to be on the safe side visited the GP to get it checked out.
At first, the doctor believed the lump to be a harmless cyst, but as it began to to grow further tests revealed the growth was in fact a cancer called Ewing’s sarcoma.
Mum Priti, 49, said: “When we were told she had cancer, I felt numb.
“The news was too much to take in knowing that her dad was only a few miles up the road also going through cancer treatment,” she added.
The very rare disease affects bones or the tissue around bones.
There are fewer than 100 cases of Ewing sarcoma diagnosed in the UK and Ireland each year, Bone Cancer Research Trust says.
After months of gruelling treatment including several bouts of chemotherapy which failed to get rid of the cancer, Jenna had surgery to remove the mass.
But sadly, days before her 21st birthday tests found the disease had spread to her lungs.
After she was given a terminal diagnosis in April 2021, Jenna began to plan her own funeral.
She insisted that no one was to wear black or cry and that Stormzy must be played.
Jenna died at home on May 13 last year – just weeks after her 21st birthday.
Jenna’s family are determined to continue her memory by raising money for Cancer Research UK.
“We want to keep her memory alive to help others and raise as much money as we can to get rid of such a horrible disease,” Priti explained.
The family raised more than £6,000 for Cancer Research UK after taking part in the night-time Shine walk in Manchester last autumn.
What are the symptoms of Ewing sarcoma?
The rare cancer mainly affects children and young people, but is also seen in adults. It’s more common in males than females.
bone pain – this may get worse over time and may be worse at night
a tender lump or swelling
a high temperature that does not go away
feeling tired all the time
unintentional weight loss
Source: NHS
Through a GoFundMe page, the family previously raised over £11,000 for Ewing’s Sarcoma Research Trust, to help raise awareness of the disease.
Cancer Research UK spokesperson for the North West, Jane Bullock, said: “This World Cancer Day, we want to say a heartfelt thank you to amazing supporters like Priti, Liam and Manish. Their generosity of heart in fundraising and bravely sharing Jenna’s story is incredible.
“Regular giving is crucial to our work, because it means we can fund long term research – research that could lead to new discoveries about cancer and unlock new ways to prevent, diagnose and treat it.”