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A 25-year-old cancer survivor from Jersey has shared how appearing on Good Morning Britain felt like a “full-circle moment” after an earlier episode of the show inspired her to push for answers when doctors initially dismissed her symptoms.
While on holiday in the Lake District with her boyfriend earlier this month, Antonia Rubio received an unexpected call from ITV producers inviting her to share her journey with thyroid cancer on an episode of Good Morning Britain.
This came after Antonia, who received the 'all-clear' in January, caught the attention of national charities over the past year with her social media videos that educate others about the realities of living with and life after cancer as a young person while also offering support to those facing similar challenges.
The opportunity to speak on the British breakfast television programme last week was "a full-circle moment" for the 25-year-old.
Pictured: Younger cancer campaigners Antonia Rubio and Demi Jones.
Antonia credited a Good Morning Britain interview from 2021, where Love Island star and cancer advocate Demi Jones spoke about her thyroid cancer diagnosis, for motivating her to keep pushing for answers after doctors dismissed her symptoms.
During this 2021 episode, Demi described how her worries were initially dismissed and shared how she had to push for further scans and tests to get answers.
Watching Demi's story, Antonia recognised similarities in her symptoms and became determined to advocate for herself.
“Her story lit a fire in me because I had been struggling for over a year with no answers," Antonia told Express.
"Hearing her say she was dismissed because she looked young and healthy was what I was hearing too."
Antonia's health struggles began in 2020 when she experienced fatigue, weakness, weight loss, and fevers.
Despite her worsening condition, doctors told her she was “too young” and “looked too healthy” to be unwell – and Antonia felt this was because attention was focused on the pandemic at the time, and she was not taken seriously as a young woman.
Pictured: Antonia's social media posts gained millions of views and caught the attention of national cancer charities.
"I felt myself deteriorating," she told Express last year on an episode of Bailiwick Podcasts. "I was a shell of a human being."
It took three years and persistent self-advocacy before Antonia was diagnosed with stage 2 thyroid cancer after discovering a lump on her neck.
When she found out she had cancer, her initial panic and distress turned to relief.
“I lived three years without any answers," she said.
During Antonia's appearance on Good Morning Britain on Friday, the interview took an emotional turn when Demi surprised her on set.
The Love Island star praised Antonia for raising awareness through her social media videos and encouraging others to trust their instincts.
“It’s amazing what you’ve done,” Demi told her. “All the awareness you're raising is just brilliant."
For Antonia, the moment was surreal.
“I owe so much to Demi for inspiring me to advocate for myself,” she said.
And this message is something Antonia wants to pass forward.
Pictured: Antonia picked up the Young Ambassador of the Year award this year's Pride of Jersey Awards.
She said on the show: "You have to stand up for yourself and be really sure in the way you feel.
"No one knows your body better than you do, and that's what I kept reiterating."
This message has been central to Antonia's efforts over the past year.
Through TikTok, she has shared hundreds of educational videos about her journey – reaching millions of viewers and amplifying awareness for young cancer patients.
The 25-year-old has also launched an online community group called 'Friends Fighting Cancer', which aims to connect young cancer patients and survivors across the world to provide a platform for mutual support.
She also travelled to London in March to give a speech at the Royal Albert Hall for a fundraising event benefiting the Teenage Cancer Trust, which featured artists such as Noel Gallagher and The Who.
Pictured: Antonia has documented her journey with thyroid cancer journey on TikTok.
Reflecting on her journey, Antonia said: “I wanted to be the person I would have needed when I heard, ‘you have cancer.’
"If sharing my story helps even one person, then it’s worth it.
"When I found out I had cancer in March 2023, I thought it would be the end of my life, but it has been the making of me."
Her work has earned recognition, including the Pride of Jersey’s Young Ambassador of the Year and a place on the Teenage Cancer Trust’s Youth Advisory Group – a platform she hopes to use to improve care for young people across the British Isles.
Following her television appearance, Antonia received positive feedback from her social media following and those in the young cancer community.
“So many people reached out to say they felt heard and represented,” she said.
“Cancer is still a taboo subject in some spaces. To share my story on national television and hear it resonate with others – that means everything.”
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LISTEN: “Cancer can take my thyroid but not my humour
Toniie Rubio sat down with Express this time last year to talk about her efforts to raise awareness and support other young cancer patients using TikTok.
Listen to the interview below or search 'Bailiwick Podcasts' on your favourite podcast provider...
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