Teenage Cancer in the Hot Seat

GoldStarCafe hosts regular Hot Seat forums for its young members, who can talk with experts and professionals in all fields, such as astronomers, artists or authors. The aim is to inspire young people to aspire, give them insight into real life careers and encourage inter-cultural understanding.

Hot Seats can also feature "ordinary" people who tackle difficult issues like childhood cancer so that GoldStarCafe members can learn how others meet their personal challenges.


Kelly Denver was treated for Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma when she was 18 years old. She had 19 months of treatment, the latter part on a Teenage Cancer Trust Unit. Kelly strongly believes that the right environment and a positive mindset are essential to recovery. Now in remission, she teaches full time at a primary school and volunteers for the Teenage Cancer Trust in her spare time.

We put Kelly in the Hot Seat and thousands of young people from around the UK came to learn about her experience of cancer at such a young age. She answered over 100 questions and as Ken Dyson, (Ex Osfted ICT Inspector) said,

"I found it very inspiring and not a little moving. I thought the questions and responses were brilliant and underlined something that I have felt for a long time – that what does not kill you makes you grow!"

Here's an extract from the Hot Seat conversation:

What’s the first thing you did once you found out you had cancer?
I actually went to the cinema to see Castaway with my friends. I found really weird because I didn't want to tell any of my friends about it straight away, because I didn't know how I felt about it yet.

How did you get on with your education during the time you had cancer?
Luckily I was near the end of my A Levels so that school organised for me to do my exams at home and I had some extra time. I was still having treatment and couldn't really do any revision. In fact, in my written drama exam it took me 20 minutes to write a third of a page because I wasn't used to writing as I'd been so tired. I didn't get stressed about them and just did my best. I'm so glad that I did my exams though. Some hospitals have schools in them to help you but my school were fantastic!

What was it like having Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma cancer when you were 18?
I didn't even know it was cancer. When they first told me, I told all my friends that it was okay, that I didn't have cancer. I didn't realise that young people could get cancer.

I bet you are so happy now you can have a happy life?
Yes, I appreciate my family and friends far more than I used to! I'm glad I had the experience in a way, as it has taught me a lot.

Hi Kelly! I just want to ask you, what was it like having cancer, and when you have cancer, don't you take chemo?
It was a really hard experience. You can have radiotherapy, surgery or chemotherapy, which is treatment with chemicals. They don't make you feel very well.

What was it like coping with teenage cancer?
It was very lonely because I didn't know anyone else who was going through what I was going through. My family were a fantastic support and I think the experience helped me to appreciate my youth and not want to grow up too fast.

What do you think about your career after having cancer?
I've always wanted to be a teacher and I think I can empathize quite well, especially with children. I like doing charity work for the Teenage Cancer Trust and I hope to work for them one day.

How did you feel when you found out you had cancer?
I felt isolated and scared when I found out. I didn't realise young people could get cancer. It took a while to get used to the idea, although I never thought I was going to die - I always thought I'd get better.

What was the feeling of relief like when you got the all clear?
It was like a big weight being lifted off my shoulders. I had to wait three years after my treatment finished before I was in what's called full remission, which means I had the all clear. I went out for a meal with my family to celebrate.

What stuff did you do for other cancer patients that you helped?
I helped to design the Teenage Cancer Trust unit in Sheffield at Weston Park Hospital to make sure it's a nice place to be when you don't feel very well. I've written articles about it, and I had a pen pal who was suffering from cancer. She didn't live near anyone else so I helped out by writing to her.

What do you like best about supporting Teenage Cancer Trust?
I've met some lovely, amazing people working for the TCT and I feel like it makes my experience worthwhile because I can help other people. I get to go to concerts and meet people like Coldplay and the Queen! I went to New York to represent the Teenage Cancer Trust and I've been on TV and radio too!

My mum had breast cancer and she had to have chemotherapy. Is chemotherapy where your hair comes out?
I'm sorry to hear about your mum. Not all types of chemotherapy make you lose your hair, but I had about 20 different types of drug and one of them did make my hair fall out.

If you could have changed the past whilst you were in hospital what would you have done?
The only thing I would change is to have had all my treatment on a Teenage Cancer unit. They are much nicer places to be than normal hospital wards and I would have met other patients my own age. Also my friends and family would have felt more comfortable visiting me.

How on earth did you get through this? My mum’s in hospital now, I haven’t been to see her. I am so scared.
Your mum would be so glad to see you. I hope you can build up the strength to go. Whilst you're building up to visiting you could write letters to give to your mum, telling her what you're doing. It was really important to me for people to come and see me because it gave me something to look forward to and to think about after they'd gone.

What advice would you give to someone who has just found out they have cancer?
Good question. There is no right way to deal with it, but I always stayed positive, it was my way of coping. Follow the doctors' advice, but make sure that you still see your friends and that you carry on being yourself. It's a frightening thing to go through but you don't have to do it alone. Contact charities like the TCT and find out about the services they can offer to make your treatment better - I've been to great events like concerts at the Albert Hall organized by them where I got to meet lots of other patients, and famous people too!

Did at any point, you think you were going to die? Has cancer changed your life big time?
I never thought that I was going to die because I decided that I had to fight it, it was my way of staying positive. Cancer has changed my life because it has shown me how strong I am and how much I can cope with. It has made me really appreciate my friends and family, and I try to remember that whenever I get upset.

Thanks Kelly for being our guest this evening! It has been fantastic and we've all really enjoyed talking to you.
I'm so glad that you all logged on to ask me questions. Cancer is thought of as a frightening topic but I think it is really important to talk about it as much as possible. I wish more people had talked about it with me. Thank you so much for all of your questions. Have a lovely summer and go and see the Teenage Cancer Trust website. Maybe you're doing school fairs and need a charity to raise money for (hint, hint)!! Take care and keep smiling. - Kelly