A YOUNG cancer ­survivor told politicians why young people should be educated about the ­illness.

Amy Quinn, from Springburn, joined forces with the Teenage Cancer Trust's ­education programme.

And she and fellow cancer survivor Nicol Benn, from Edinburgh, were invited to speak about their experiences at the Scottish Parliament.

At a reception with Alex Neil, Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing, Amy and Nicol spoke to health chiefs and MSPs.

Siobhan Dunn, Teenage Cancer Trust Chief Executive, also spoke about government funding given to the education scheme.

She said: "The Scottish Government's Detect Cancer Early programme has given funding to us to pay for a second education specialist for the next two years.

"Last year we managed to speak to 12,000 young people and this funding will help us reach many, many more."

Amy was one of the thousands who received a talk from the Teenage Cancer Trust - and she believes it saved her life.

The 19-year-old had a pain in her side and was feeling emotionally turbulent and constantly tired.

Her doctor dismissed her for being a "grumpy teenager" but the awareness session held at Bishopbriggs Academy had told her to be persistent.

Eventually Amy was sent for a scan, which showed a 7cm mass doctors believed was a cyst. Amy was convinced she had cancer but doctors didn't listen and marked her case as non-urgent.

During an operation - that Amy had to wait eight months for-- doctors found what they thought was an infection that had not healed properly.

After tests it emerged the teenager had cancer. She then had to have both ovaries, Fallopian tubes, appendix and omentum removed as well as chemotherapy at the Teenage Cancer Trust unit at The Beatson.

Following her cancer treatment, Amy is now back at university studying for a ­degree in business.

She and Nicol, who had ­testicular cancer at the age of 19, spoke about their experiences to highlight the importance of awareness raising in teens.

In Scotland more than a third of young people with cancer are only diagnosed when they are admitted to A&E with symptoms.

A total of 40% have to visit their GP at least four times before they are diagnosed.

Siobhan added: "These figures are terrible and we must do what we can to reduce them; they are higher than anywhere else in the UK.

"We fully understand the burden that GPs are under but some are not listening to teenagers properly when they come in with symptoms.

"As well as educating young people and empowering them to talk to their doctor about symptoms, we also want to work with GPs to help increase numbers of early diagnosis."

Teenage Cancer Trust educators also talk to young people about their health and encourage sun protection and smoking cessation as well as a healthy diet and exercise.

A total of 26% of young people with cancer have skin cancer, higher than other parts of the UK, and compared to 11% for adults.

Siobhan also gave a speech to highlight the work of the Trust and its plans for education in schools, colleges and universities in the future.

More than 50 people atten­ded, including Dr Aileen Keel, NHS Scotland's Deputy Chief Medical Officer.

catriona.stewart@eveningtimes.co.uk