News, views and top stories in your inbox. Don't miss our must-read newsletter Sign up Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

A young boy saved his sister’s life by spotting a cancerous tumour inside her throat when he tickled her.

Aaron East, 11, noticed the growth after seven-year-old Amy laughed as they played together.

He immediately ran to tell his mum Carly, 31, and doctors diagnosed the youngster with a rare form of cancer.

Amy underwent surgery to remove the growth and her family are now raising money for proton beam therapy in America.

Carly said: “Amy and Aaron were just playing tickle monsters when he looked down her throat while she was laughing.

(Image: Mercury Press)

“My first thought when Aaron showed me Amy’s throat was that it was a tumour.

“I’m absolutely so proud of Aaron. Because he found it, he thinks that he has done something wrong when in fact he has saved his little sister’s life.

“I really cannot thank him enough for what he has done, I am so proud.”

(Image: Mercury Press)

Amy now describes big brother Aaron as her ‘hero’.

Aaron added: “It was pretty scary for me and Amy.”

Carly, of Chelmsford, Essex, immediately took Amy to A&E after Aaron showed her the tumour on June 26.

Doctors were stumped by the growth and opted to operate to remove parts of the tumour.

(Image: Mercury Press)

On July 6 specialists deliver the devastating news that Amy had Rhabdomyosarcoma - a rare cancer that affects just 60 UK kids a year.

Carly added: “I had a knot in my stomach when I was going to the hospital but had to keep it together and stay strong for the kids.

“I could just feel that something was wrong straightaway. My world just fell apart when they told me but Amy has been so strong and whatever she has had to face she has just bounced back.

(Image: Mercury Press)

“Amy’s a really happy-go-lucky confident girl and she gives me the strength to carry on, if I was her then I would be on the floor.”

Amy now faces nine rounds of chemotherapy before heading off to the US for proton beam therapy.