A mother shares that her daughter stopped attending dance classes because of ‘growing pains’, which turned out to be a ‘golf-ball-sized’ tumor in her throat. Cheryl Barber noticed her 11-year-old daughter, Tamelia Felway, experiencing tiredness and discomfort in September 2022. Tamelia, a dedicated dancer, gave up dancing, gained weight, and exhibited mood swings, prompting Cheryl to seek medical advice from their GP.
Despite being initially told that Tamelia’s symptoms were attributed to ‘growing pains’ and ‘puberty’, with normal blood test results, Cheryl discovered a lump in Tamelia’s throat in September 2024. After a prolonged period of tests and appointments, the lump was surgically removed. In November 2025, doctors at Great Ormond Street Hospital diagnosed Tamelia with thyroid cancer, leading to her starting radiotherapy in May 2028.
Cheryl emphasizes the importance of trusting parental instincts throughout the challenging diagnostic journey, urging other parents to do the same. She has launched a GoFundMe campaign to help cover hospital visits while caring for her two-year-old daughter, Lily.
Describing the impact on Tamelia, Cheryl recounts, “It was like the light just disappeared from her eyes. She had been exhibiting symptoms for a while, such as fatigue and leg pains, which were initially dismissed as normal growing-up issues. Notably, Tamelia had been a dancer since the age of four but had to stop due to exhaustion.” Cheryl recalls noticing the lump in Tamelia’s throat, which turned out to be a significant tumor.
Tamelia is battling two types of thyroid cancer, and although the current stage is uncertain, Cheryl’s fundraising efforts have raised over £3,200. Cheryl discloses that doctors believe the cancer might have been present in Tamelia’s thyroid for three years, emphasizing the need to listen to parental instincts and not dismiss concerning symptoms as mere ‘growing pains’.
Thyroid cancer primarily affects the thyroid gland in the neck region and typically presents with symptoms like neck lumps, hoarseness, sore throat, and swallowing or breathing difficulties. Treatment options include surgery, hormone therapy, radioactive iodine treatment, radiotherapy, or chemotherapy.