This is why Demi Jones’ honesty about her potential thyroid cancer is so admirable and important

If you’re a Love Island fan, then you’ll remember Demi Jones from the last winter series.

Admittedly, it wasn’t the most dramatic of seasons, but Demi (who coupled up with Justin Bieber lookalike Luke Mabbott) really stood out as one of the most charismatic contestants - and managed to garner a large social media following after her time on the show.

But, posting to her 1.1million Instagram followers, Demi's updates as of late have been incredibly brave. Last month, the influencer posted a video - in tears - where she explained that a lump, on her neck, could be cancerous. ‘I'm worried, but I'm sure it will be fine,’ the 22 year old said on her Instagram story. ‘It's just a shock because you just don't think. I was sat there in the waiting room and it was full of old people and I was the only young one there.’

Throughout, incredibly admirably, Demi has been keeping her followers updated on the process - earlier this week, she answered a Q&A for all those who wanted to know about her lump. Now, weeks later, Demi has had the lump removed, and shared photos after her surgery. ‘Face and neck really swollen but the surgery went really well,’ she wrote. ‘I literally had a lump the size of a golf ball on my thyroid. The NHS staff at the QA Portsmouth have been unbelievable. And thank you for all your messages.’

As the influencer has said, the reason she has been so insistent on sharing her journey is so that others get their lumps checked, and persist with doctors if they think something could be wrong. In the original videos shared after she received the devastating news, she claimed that her appointment was late, and it was only because she asked for fluid to be checked that doctors suspected the lump on her thyroid might be cancer.

‘Please don't put off getting lumps checked. If appointments keep getting cancelled then you need to chase it up,’ Demi said. ‘I was supposed to have this appointment six months ago. At my scan they said “everything looks fine” and went to send me on my way. I challenged it and asked if they could do more, in which they said "oh well we can test the fluid if you want us to?" Thank god I asked as it was the fluid that came back potentially cancerous. Always push!' (When fellow Love Islander Molly-Mae Hague similarly shared her experience of having a cancerous mole removed, she said it was only when she asked a third doctor that concerns were raised.)

Shop Demi Jones' Project Lip line

Since sharing her story, Demi has said that many people have reached out, saying that, thanks to her honesty, they’ve made appointments they previously might have brushed off. Of course, it goes without saying that nobody ever owes strangers an explanation about their health - whether online, or in real life. And it must have been incredibly hard for Demi to do - she has since said she’s taking a break from Instagram - but, as she’s proved, her honesty is already having an impact when people are making appointments they otherwise might not have made. And that can never be underestimated.

What are the symptoms for thyroid cancer?

The Teenage Cancer Trust says on its website that treatment for the cancer is usually successful, but that some signs of thyroid cancer can be 'a sore throat or hoarse voice that lasts for several weeks, or if swallowing is painful for that amount of time, or if you feel a lump in your neck (and especially in the base of your neck).' And that 'it’s always best to check if you have any of these symptoms, or you notice anything weird.'

If you have any questions or concerns about cancer, the Macmillan Support Line is open every day from 8am-8pm on 0808 808 00 00. Further information and support is available online at macmillan.org.uk.