An 18-year-old college student had her world turned upside down when she discovered she had a rare genetic disorder that made her highly susceptible to developing tumours and melanoma. At the age of 12, Ruby-Jo underwent genetic testing due to her family's history of tumours and was diagnosed with a chromosome deletion of her CDKN2A gene, which is responsible for producing proteins that act as tumour suppressors.

Over the course of just over two years, from 15 to 18, Ruby-Jo faced a series of daunting health challenges, including two diagnoses of melanoma and the removal of two non-cancerous brain tumours, the most recent one being in December 2024. Hailing from Hull, Ruby-Jo, recalling her experience, shared: "I was around 12 years old when I found out I had it. "At the time I think I had a positive outlook on it, I was excited I could have the day off school sometimes! I was quite thrilled to feel special in a way and I didn't think of the dangers of it at that age.

"But when it actually affected me with the skin cancer and brain tumour it was a massive shock.I remember just crying my eyes out, questioning why me?". The family's research revealed that the mutation originated from Ruby-Jo's grandmother, who had battled skin cancer, and her auntie, who was diagnosed with a non-cancerous brain tumour at the tender age of six in 1981. Ruby-Jo's auntie's son was also diagnosed with a brain tumour aged six and later went on to develop skin cancer before passing away aged just 14 from leukaemia. And when Ruby-Jo's brother, Bailey, now 14, was also diagnosed with a benign brain tumour again at the age of six, doctors were sure it was genetic due to the family history.

Her cousin tragically lost his battle with leukaemia at just 14, having previously faced a brain tumour and skin cancer. Compounding the family's woes, when Ruby-Jo's brother, Bailey, now 14, was diagnosed with a benign brain tumour at six, doctors suspected a genetic link. Indeed, tests confirmed that both Ruby-Jo and Bailey had inherited the condition from their mother, Laura, 36. Now, Ruby-Jo must endure lifelong vigilance with skin examinations for moles and regular MRI scans every three to six months.

Tragically, in September 2022, after already fighting a brain tumour, Ruby-Jo confronted another daunting challenge: skin cancer. She said: "When I was 15 there was a melanoma burn and that was removed on 3rd July 2022 just before year 11 and the strange thing about that is that the biopsy should have taken six to eight weeks but it took 13 weeks so we all thought no news is good news but on October 12, 2022 we were told that it was skin cancer.".

She also said: "At the same time, I had an MRI and I was diagnosed with a brain tumour in September, just a month before.". As she entered year 11, her focus was torn between her studies and her fight for health. After monitoring the brain tumour to see its progression, specialists decided to operate, leading to its removal in July 2023 as it continued to grow. She recounted: "I had the tumour removed and it was a horrible experience - I was 16 and I'd had a really nice time at prom and suddenly it was scary and traumatising.

"But they were able to remove it all and they tested the tumour and it wasn't what they thought it was - it was a grade two PXA non-cancerous so I never needed any further treatment.". Afterwards, Ruby-Jo faced another health setback in April 2024 when doctors advised checking a mole, which was subsequently excised that same month. The results revealed a harsh truth soon after: "They had to remove further tissue from my arm to make sure there was no cancer there," she said.

"On the same day, I was told that my brother had also been diagnosed with stage 1 melanoma skin cancer and was waiting for surgery.". In a cruel twist of fate, a routine MRI check-up earlier in April 2024 led to another startling discovery - a second brain tumour. Bravely undergoing surgery in December, she reflected on the diagnosis received in May: "I got results in May and I was told I'd been diagnosed with another brain tumour but this time it was in the memory part of my brain which was scarier - thankfully that meant it was very easy to remove.".

Faced with a daunting decision over treatment options, she said: "Memory is a huge part of your life so we initially looked into radiotherapy as I didn't want any scary after effects of the surgery but I thought I've been through it once, I can do it again.". Ruby-Jo, a brave fundraiser who gathered over £800 for the Brain Tumour Charity through bake sales, has opened up about her challenging journey, revealing that doctors informed her: "They actually then said because I had this chromosome deletion it wouldn't be possible for me to have the radiotherapy and there would be a higher risk of me developing more brain tumours.".