Nicola was 19 when she found out that she had a lump in the parotid gland. She is now energetically getting on with life.  

My name is Nicola Smith, I am 20 years old. In June 2006 I had surgery to my face to remove a lump in the parotid gland: it was malignant. After a check up in July 2006 I was diagnosed with Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma. I was told that there was no cure and that the cancer was life threatening. <p" />  <p" />I have always been a happy and easy going person and did not want this to stand in my way, and it didn't. Although I was quite ill I still made the effort to dress myself up and get on with my normal lifestyle. During my eight weeks course of Radio-Therapy I became very weak. I lost an enormous amount of weight and also started to lose my hair. My friends and family were a huge part in keeping me on track, and the few times I came close to giving up my treatment they convinced me to keep fighting and they stayed strong for me, especially my mum Karen and my sister Jodie. My fight is still not over but I try to live every day as it comes and make the most of everything I have and all the people whom I love, which to me is the most important thing.