A student who had to have her lung removed because of cancer has her father to thank for saving her life after he refused to accept a diagnosis that she was suffering from asthma.

Laura Hicks was 17 when she started suffering from breathlessness and persistent coughing.

Her GP first gave her antibiotics and then an inhaler after diagnosing the problem as asthma.

But father Stan, an osteopath, was not convinced and sent her back to the doctor with a letter asking for an X-ray to be carried out.

The scan showed a large tumour taking up two-thirds of her right lung.

Miss Hicks, now aged 20, underwent six months of chemotherapy and radiotherapy to shrink the tumour which was then removed along with her lung and two ribs in 2007.

Miss Hicks, from Midsomer Norton, in Somerset, is now cancer free.

"There was something in the back of my mind that it was more serious, but I had so many things on at the time I ignored it because the doctor's diagnosis seemed logical," she said.

"I was lucky that my doctor actually listened but you have to think that GPs see so many patients a day, and my dad sees me every day so he could tell things weren't right.

"I wasn't shocked when they told me it was cancer as I suppose subconsciously I was prepared for it, but it has put things into perspective.

"I listen to my dad more now, well on some things anyway."

Miss Hicks was unable to sit her A-level exams while undergoing treatment but has now completed a foundation access course in economics and hopes to go to the University of Bath to study economics.

"I can't walk very far and I am more prone to chest infections so I have to look after myself, but I did the Race for Life a few weeks ago," she said.

Mr Hicks, who is also an animal osteopath, said his medical knowledge and instinct made him question Laura's initial diagnosis.

"There were certain symptoms that she had that concerned me and in my letter I mentioned a type of cancer that was not too far off what she was diagnosed with," he said.

"Doctors have to work on percentages to some extent, and make a judgment on the likelihood that someone of Laura's age would have lung cancer because there was no reason for it.

"The lesson here is not to be too complacent about persistent symptoms, people tend to ignore things but if the symptoms are maintained there is probably a reason for it."