‘Never give up’: 10-year-old breast cancer survivor shares her story

Chrissy Turner is one of the youngest people to ever be diagnosed with breast cancer.

The little girl, from Utah in the US, was just eight when she found a sore lump on her chest. She was shortly diagnosed with secretory breast carcinoma, a very rare form of breast cancer, and began her fight to beat the disease. The news was "devastating," her father Troy said. "How do you tell your kid that she has cancer?" Chrissy had her right breast removed and continues to be monitored in routine scans. She's shared the positive outlook she's adopted since becoming ill. "This experience has taught me to keep moving forward and never give up," she told People. "Through my cancer, I learned how important family really is and that we should enjoy every second of this life. I love spending time with my family and friends and just having fun." Bizarrely, both of Chrissy's parents have both battled cancer themselves. Her mum Annette has beaten cervical cancer while her dad is a non-Hodgkin lymphoma survivor.   "Chrissy carries a glowing spirit with her wherever she goes and she’s teaching others — especially women diagnosed with breast cancer — to embrace life and focus on the good, " said Annette. "If anything, that’s been her most powerful message: 'You can defeat this and you can keep living'." "She truly has a spirit beyond her age," added Troy, "and her positive attitude and strength are radiated to those around her. She inspires me every day." You can find out more about Chrissy's story on the Chrissy's Alliance Facebook page. October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month - visit the Breast Cancer Ireland website here.