A young student’s winter illness turned out to be something far more frightening than the flu. The story of 19 year old Sophie Claxton from Burnley is a reminder of how easy it is to dismiss serious symptoms, and how life can change in a single consultation. Sophie’s story was highlighted by BBC and while she got diagnosed with cancer she was just 16 years old, having the all-clear sign in March, this year Sophie turned 19. But don’t let her age fool you, this young soul has inspired more than we can count!
Feeling unwell at university
SOPHIE CLAXTON-CREDIT: CANCER RESEARCH UK
Sophie was in her second year at Edge Hill University when she first began to feel unwell. Like many students—she assumed it was a bad bout of flu brought on by stress, cold weather and a busy academic schedule.Her symptoms built up gradually. She had persistent fatigue, felt generally run down and developed pain that did not match the usual pattern of a short lived viral infection. At first, it was easy to explain everything away as “student life” and carry on with lectures, coursework and social plans.
A shocking diagnosis
When her symptoms did not improve, Sophie went for medical advice and was referred for tests. The results brought news she never—expected at her age. Instead of flu, doctors told her she had cancer, a diagnosis she described as “shell shocked” and- surreal.Hearing the word cancer at 16 can feel completely out of place with how most people imagine the disease. Many picture it as something that happens later in life, not during a time meant for new friendships—exams and planning the future. For Sophie, that moment drew a line between the life she had before the appointment-and everything that came after it
Life on hold for treatment
Once the diagnosis was confirmed, university life quickly shifted into hospital appointments, treatment plans and difficult conversations with family and friends. Assignments and nights out were replaced by scans, blood tests— and discussions about chemotherapy.Young adults with cancer often have to press-pause on the parts of life that define that age group. There are questions about whether to defer a university year—how to manage finances and accommodation, and how to explain the situation to peers who may never have known someone their age with a serious illness. Sophie’s story reflects those challenges as she navigated treatment while trying to hold on to her goals.
Emotional toll and support
The emotional shock of a cancer diagnosis can be as heavy as the physical side of treatment. Sophie spoke about being overwhelmed and shell shocked, which is a common reaction when illness interrupts what was expected to be a healthy, independent phase of life.Support from family, friends and healthcare teams becomes crucial at this stage. Young patients often rely on parents for practical help while also seeking understanding from friends who may struggle to know what to say. Specialist cancer services for teenagers and young adults aim to bridge this gap by offering age-appropriate care, counselling and peer support.
Why her story matters
Sophie’s experience highlights how important it is to pay attention to symptoms that linger or feel unusual, even in young people who are generally healthy. Persistent fatigue—unexplained pain, ongoing infections or symptoms that simply do not settle deserve a proper medical check rather than being written off as stress or seasonal bugs.Her story also shows the resilience many young patients find within themselves. Facing cancer at 16 demands rapid adjustments to plans-identity and expectations—yet it can also bring a strong sense of perspective and determination to return to studies and long term goals once treatment allows. Sophie Caxton’s story is a reminder that how the simplest of things sometimes, turn out to be unexpected disease that can last a lifetime.
