A 16-year-old girl has been forced to put her life on hold after a life-shattering diagnosis.

Olivia Steane, from Apperley Bridge, Bradford, was diagnosed with Embryonal Rhabdomyosarcoma, a rare cancer that affects muscle tissue, on August 23 this year - the day before her GCSE results.

The diagnosis came after Olivia noticed discomfort in her cheeks and pegged it on her braces. However, after a trip to the orthodontist and having her braces sorted, her cheek was still swollen.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: 16-year-old, Olivia Steane received the devastating diagnosis the day before her GCSE results 16-year-old, Olivia Steane received the devastating diagnosis the day before her GCSE results (Image: Newsquest)

Olivia's mum, Leanne Marie, 36, took her to the GP with concerns that her cheek had become infected from where the brace had been digging in, but this wasn’t the case, and they were sent back to the Orthodontist who noticed a small growth and sent them to Leeds Dental Institute.

Leanne said: “It’s a devastating diagnosis that’s really impacted our family.

“We went to the Dental Institute, where she was looked at by four surgeons and they thought it was a blocked salivary gland and carried out a biopsy and sent her for an ultrasound.”

It was four weeks before the family received the results and Olivia was given this ‘heartbreaking’ diagnosis.

She’s been placed on an intense treatment plan and has had two surgeries - the removal of her ovary and lymph nodes to stop the spread of cancer and the insertion of a portacath.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: Her attitude towards chemotherapy has been described as 'admirable' by her mum Her attitude towards chemotherapy has been described as 'admirable' by her mum (Image: Newsquest)

The treatment plan involves nine rounds of chemotherapy and radiotherapy which could be completed within 14 months to two years, depending on how frequently she is able to get treatment.

Most of her treatment has been at Leeds General Infirmary, but the radiotherapy will be carried out in Manchester at the end of December.

Olivia, who has four siblings, said: “It’s been a very hard couple of months and a lot to deal with.

“It’s been a big change to my life, and it was a huge shock.

“It’s been really hard with all the side effects.

“It’s rough and my family has been a really big support, always bringing gifts when they come and see me.”

Leanne described Olivia’s attitude to her treatment as ‘admirable’.

She said: “She’s been amazing, I’m in admiration of her, the way she’s carried herself and I just think if this was me, I don’t think I could be as strong as she’s been.

“When we found out about the treatment, she said I’m not having any treatment, I’m not losing my hair.

“She said I’m not letting anyone see me bald.

“We went for the first round of treatment and the majority of her hair fell out. We cried about it and then she said Mum shave it all off.”

Now, Olivia is comfortable being bald in front of her family and boyfriend, but also has a wig donated by the Little Princess Trust.

“She lets us see her bald, but she doesn’t go out of the house without a hat.”

Olivia is in hospital every three weeks for three to four days each time and the intense treatment has impacted her general health, with increased fatigue.

Leanne added: “She has her down days and days where she’s curled up in bed with a blanket saying how unfair this all is and then she gets this bubbly sense of herself.

“She’s my eldest child, she’s just turned 16 and I should be worrying about her learning to drive next year and that she’s going out with her friends, not cancer.

“We’ve never had cancer in our family, we didn’t even know what to expect it’s just been a rollercoaster and it’s devastating.

“I’m heartbroken for Olivia, she should be getting on with her life and her apprenticeship.”

Before her diagnosis, Olivia had secured an apprenticeship at a local salon, but has had to put this on hold until she recovers.

A Bradford hair salon Blue HQ is raising money for Olivia and her family with all profits made on Sunday, November 19 being donated to her family.

Leanne said: “The support has been absolutely overwhelming, and I can’t thank Becky at Blue’s enough.

“Outside my family, my mum and my sister have noticed how kind people are.

“I can’t believe how many nice people there are out there.”

The family has received positive news that Olivia’s treatment is going well and there has been a huge improvement.

Olivia said: “My boyfriend is really getting me through this and it’s just the thought that it’s going to get better at the end and I’ll get to live a happy, normal life after this.”