A teenage girl who is documenting her cancer treatment has posted a distressing video of herself chopping off her hair.

Asha Patel, a 16-year-old schoolgirl, discovered a tiny lump on the side of her neck that grew to the size of a golf ball early this year. She was diagnosed with stage 4 Hodgkin lymphoma, a blood cancer that affects the lymphatic system. 

After emergency biopsies and scans, doctors told Asha she had cancer which had spread to her lungs and spleen. The family were told there was a 90 per cent chance of a cure but Asha would need chemotherapy.

Asha, has been inundated with support from family and friends after sharing her video

She said: "It was devastating and deeply emotional losing my hair because it also signified the start of my cancer journey and the unknown challenges that lay ahead.

"I knew there was no going back, and I had a big battle ahead of me. Besides the lump on my neck, this was the first physical sign that I had cancer, which was both scary and emotional."

The teenager, who is supporting TK Maxx’s Give Up Clothes for Good campaign, in support of Cancer Research UK for Children & Young People throughout September, said she wanted to share her video to support anyone else going through a similar experience with their cancer journey.

Asha, from Diss in Norfolk, filmed the video herself.

She said: "Having cancer is a very lonely journey, and especially as a teenager where cancer is probably less talked about and less documented.

"I wanted to show what it was like to go through treatment and losing your hair, for many people, is part of that process which can be devastating." 

Asha's father Jayesh, who is seen in the video comforting his daughter, said: "People don't really see what cancer is like and losing your hair is probably the first visual signs that someone is not well. 

"For anyone, that can be a very traumatic experience, but for a young teenager like Asha, and to see your daughter gp through it, it was just heartbreaking.

"Asha had gone for a wig fitting that day and that was when she decided she wanted to take control and the best way she could do that was by cutting her hair off - but to then film it and as a way of offering support is sucha brave thing to do and I'm so proud of her."

Asha's cancer diagnosis came out of the blue when in February this year Asha felt a small lump above her shoulder blade.

Jayesh added: "At first we thought she had been bitten by an insect which had become infected but after a scan the consultant showed us some startling images which revealed small tumours dotted throughout Asha's body.

"It was so shocking and upsetting to see."

Jayesh added: "It was an extremely difficult and stressful time for the family. Not only was Asha fighting cancer but at the same time I was admitted into hospital with sever colitis."

Asha was treated at Addenbrookes hospital in Cambridge where she received treatment, including chemotherapy, 2-3 times a week for 6 months.

The hospital is one of many centres across the UK taking part in groundbreaking clinical trials coordinated by Cancer Research UK’s dedicated clinical trials unit for children’s cancers.

These trials make innovative new treatments available to children and young people with cancer across the region.

Jayesh said: "We didn't know if Asha would get through this, but we held on and stayed strong in the belief that Asha was in the best place, getting the best possible treatment.

"From a very early age, Asha has faced a lot of unfair things that life threw her way, the biggest one of them all was losing her mum, Caroline, when Asha and her siblings were so still so young, but she is amazingly resilient.

"During her treatment she said to me that she was glad that she was the only person in the family to get cancer because she could cope with it, which is an amazing thing for a 16-year-old to say.

"Asha has never complained about anything, she is always so positive and happy and always thinking of ways to help others, even now, cancer hasn't wiped that gorgeous smile off her face."

Asha is urging people to clear out their wardrobes to help more children and young people like her survive cancer by backing TK Maxx’s Give Up Clothes for Good campaign, in support of Cancer Research UK for Children & Young People.

She is encouraging the public to donate any pre-loved quality fashion and homeware they no longer need to their nearest TK Maxx store. 

Asha's dad continued: "Asha has been told by Dr's that she is now cancer free. Research has given us many more precious moments with her - it’s the reason she’s still here today and able to enjoy another school year.

"She's about to go into sixth form and she is also celebrating her 17th birthday this month, so we are back to being a normal family again and that’s why raising money for Cancer Research UK for Children & Young People is so vital.

"We want to help families like ours have more moments too, so Asha and I will be having a good clear out at home to find clothes and things to donate. We hope our experience will inspire others across the region to do the same. Their unwanted items really could save lives.” 

Cancer Research UK spokesperson for Cambridgeshire, Patrick Keely, said: “We’re grateful to Asha and her family for helping to shine a light on some of the challenges faced by children that our scientists are working to tackle.

"Cancer is different in children and young people from the types of cancer that affect this age group to the long-term effects of treatment, such as hearing loss and infertility. So, it needs different and dedicated research which campaigns like Give Up Clothes for Good help to fund. 

“It’s thanks to the generosity of our supporters, we are beating cancer. Step by step, day by day. More than 9 in 10 children and young people with cancer who receive cancer drugs on the NHS receive a drug linked to our work.

"And we’re unlocking discoveries about these cancers and translating them into new and less toxic ways to treat them.  

“But, despite huge progress, too many young lives are still lost to this devastating disease. By donating any quality clothes or goods to their local TK Maxx store, people across Cambridgeshire can help ensure more young people in the region - and across the UK – can live longer, better lives, free from the fear of cancer.” 

Give Up Clothes for Good is the UK’s longest running clothes collection. The public can donate at any TK Maxx store all year round 

People can also show their support by wearing a gold ribbon badge – the awareness symbol of Childhood Cancer Awareness Month – available from Cancer Research UK shops during September.