A man who was diagnosed with brain cancer as a teenager speaks about how he had to learn to walk again after his treatment.

James Stone, 20, from Watford said he started to develop headaches in September 2016 when he was 16-years-old. He said at the time he put it down to the stress of starting a new job.

But said in the weeks that followed he started to walk off balance and in October after various visits to A&E, he was diagnosed with a brain tumour.

He said he was told he needed surgery, along with chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

He said: "The 18 months following my diagnosis were some of the hardest months I’ve ever had. After I woke up from brain surgery to remove the main tumour, I had to learn to walk and balance again, which was incredibly hard.

"Radiotherapy was so inhumane; I was strapped to a table by a mask so they could administer the radiation accurately. It made my throat sore and I couldn’t eat for weeks.

"Chemotherapy physically and mentally drained me and my lack of immunity meant I couldn’t see my friends a lot of the time."

After finishing his treatment, James joined Teens Unite, a charity that supports young people with cancer to help improve their quality of life.

The charity says it achieves this through regular activities and workshops, which are currently held digitally because of covid-19.

He added: "I was going through a very low stage; I wasn’t going out much and I wasn’t in education or work. I signed up with Teens Unite and a few weeks later I attended my first event – I’ve never looked back since."

James is now in remission and is helping the charity to identify the needs of young people and shape the support they receive.

He added: "I cannot explain how much Teens Unite have done for me. They have built me up so much in every aspect of life.

"Knowing I have ongoing support is one of the best feelings you can have. Without Teens Unite I would definitely not be who I am or where I am today.

"If I could tell another young person fighting cancer one thing, it’s that cancer will change you. But for the better.

"There will always be a silver lining to the rubbish you face. The charity and the friends I’ve made were my silver lining."