'I felt a burden on everybody' - Leeds youngster opens up about trauma of cancer battle at just 16

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Unable even to walk, Terence Rumblow had been torn up by the torture of watching his friends live their 'best life' while he fought simply to survive.

For the Leeds youngster, facing a cancer battle at just 16, diagnosis and treatment was to impact on more than just his physical health.

Reliant on a Zimmer frame, and having gained five stone in weight through steroid treatment, his self-esteem had dipped to a terrible low.

"I just felt so ashamed, when I looked at myself," the now 25-year-old says.

Terence Rumblow, of Leeds, has spoken about the impact of having cancer as a teenage and the affect it had on his life ambitions and self esteem. Image: James Hardisty

"I felt a burden, on everybody. I didn't ask for cancer and I needed the treatment - but people would look through me as if I wasn't there."

Mr Rumblow is speaking out today as part the Teenage Cancer Trust's #StillMe campaign, shining a light on the impact of the condition on body image and self-esteem.

Snap polls, carried by the charity, have found that the issue is one of great importance to young people facing a cancer diagnosis.

Of those polled, 23 per cent said they were worried about how their looks would be affected, compared to 21 per cent worried about painful and lengthy treatment.

Terence Rumblow, now aged 25, had gained over five stone while on treatment for cancer as a teenager, and felt a 'burden' on those around him when his self-esteem dipped to a low. Image: James Hardisty

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Mr Rumblow's cancer journey had started at just 16 with a niggling joint pain, turning to a dull ache. Then the pain spread to his spine, small bumps appearing along his forehead.

Three times, his discomfort was dismissed as growing pains, anaemia, or even arthritis. But he was pale, short of breath, and struggling to walk cross a room.

His mother, ignoring doctors' advice, took the teenager to A&E.

Terence Rumblow, from Morley, is sharing his story as part of the Teenage Cancer Trust's #StillMe campaign, shining a light on the impact of the condition on body image and self-esteem. Image James Hardisty.

"I didn't have a clue what was going on," says Mr Rumblow, from Morley, who spent five days undergoing tests only for it to emerge he had Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia.

"The doctor walked in and said 'you've got cancer'. It was as blunt, and as sharp as that. I was 16 years old. I just looked at my mum, and we both burst out crying.