A DAUGHTER has spoken of her gratitude that she still has her mum, seven years on from her cancer diagnosis, in a bid to urge people to get checked, writes Carla Jenkins.

Charlotte Shand, 21, from Neilston, is the latest person to back the #MySurvivor campaign which highlights the role early diagnosis can have in improving cancer survival.

Charlotte’s mother, Lesley, 56, was diagnosed with nasopharyngeal cancer in October 2012 – a rare form of cancer that affects the part of the throat that connects the back of the nose to the back of the mouth – after going to her GP with concerns about a lump she found in her neck.

Charlotte, who was 15 at the time, is now urging others to check any findings with their GP.

She said: “If you have a concern, go and get it checked. I always say to people to put their trust in the professionals and don’t go near Google.

“There’s lots of cancers that can be cured now, and you’re giving yourself the best chance by seeing someone straight away, rather than waiting and worrying.”

The campaign can also be supported by sharing cancer survival stories using #MySurvivor on social media to help tackle fear of the disease and encourage people to visit their GP practice or attend screenings.