A young woman from Manchester, who began vaping at the age of 15, has received a devastating prognosis of just 18 months to live after being diagnosed with lung cancer at 21. Kayley Boda, now 22, was consuming approximately one 600-puff disposable vape per week when she first noticed alarming symptoms in early 2025.
Initial Symptoms and Medical Dismissals
In January 2025, Kayley started coughing up a brown substance containing grainy bits, which she initially dismissed as normal for a heavy vaper. She visited doctors eight times, only to be repeatedly turned away with diagnoses of chest infections. It was not until she began coughing up blood that medical professionals took her concerns seriously, ordering an x-ray that revealed a shadow on her lower right lung.
Diagnosis and Treatment Journey
Over the next four months, Kayley underwent seven biopsies, with doctors initially reassuring her that cancer was unlikely due to her youth. However, in August 2025, she was diagnosed with stage one lung cancer. In September, she had surgery to remove the lower lobe of her right lung and surrounding lymph nodes, during which her cancer was upstaged to stage three after cancer was found in six lymph nodes.
Following surgery, Kayley faced significant challenges, including difficulty breathing and having to relearn how to walk. She then underwent chemotherapy, which ended in February 2026, at which point she was given the all-clear. Tragically, just two months later, in April 2026, doctors discovered the cancer had returned in the pleural lining of her lungs, leading to the 18-month prognosis.
Link to Vaping and Personal Warning
Kayley attributes her cancer to vaping, noting that her symptoms began a few months after switching from reusable to disposable vapes, and there is no history of lung cancer in her family. She has since quit vaping and urged her partner, mother, and friends to do the same. "Stay off the vapes, because they will catch up with you," she warned, highlighting the potential dangers of e-cigarettes.
Fundraising for Clinical Trial
With limited treatment options available in the UK, Kayley is now raising £20,000 to fund a clinical trial in Germany, hoping to prolong her life. She described the emotional toll of her diagnosis, stating, "No words can describe how I feel, I’m 22, this isn’t meant to happen to somebody my age." Her story serves as a stark reminder of the health risks associated with vaping, particularly among young adults.
