IT IS the worst nightmare any parent can go through – the devastating news that your young child has been diagnosed with cancer for the second time.

That shocking moment came true for Jason Adams and Kerry Little when doctors told them that their son Max had a potentially deadly tumour.

But in the whirlwind of emotions and fear there was a light at the end of the tunnel for the Hampshire family when the 11-year-old was approved to jet out to America for a pioneering therapy not currently available in Britain.

The cricket-mad youngster from West End was one of a small number of children selected to undergo NHS-funded proton beam therapy – a revolutionary treatment which can leave patients with better chances of survival.

Now back in Britain after their gruelling and emotional journey, they have praised the Southampton teams who have guided them every step of the way and have expressed their dreams that the treatment can be available in this country.

Max’s ordeal began aged four when doctors discovered a tumour in his left lung and diagnosed him with rare cancer, pleuropulmonary blastoma – and subsequently removed the lung following an intense course of chemotherapy.

But six years later the Fair Oak Cricket Club member and keen Saints fan began complaining of severe pain in his right shoulder and his eye started drooping in March last year.

What was first though as muscular pain was revealed to be the result of a tumour on the right side of his neck – diagnosed as Rhabdomyosarcoma – a soft tissue cancer linked to his previous tumour In the flurry of hospital appointments at the Piam Brown paediatric unit at Southampton General Hospital the Wildern School pupil underwent another tough six months of chemotherapy.

But experts Royal Brompton Hospital in London warned the tumour’s proximity to major blood vessel leading to his brain and arm, plus his spinal chord, meant surgery was complicated and suggested an alternative therapy.

The Southampton team recommended him for proton beam therapy and after an agonising wait for a decision from an NHS board, they finally received the green light to fly out for the treatment.

Both parents said the decision was one of the happiest days of their lives and Kerry, 42, an estate agent, said: “The diagnosis was devastating – we didn’t think we would have to go through it again. We had to find another inner strength. But when you find out you have been accepted it is a huge weight off your shoulders and you know you are getting the best possible treatment.”

The process differs from conventional radiotherapy because the proton beams stop when they hit cancerous cells – causing less damage to surrounding tissue and organs.

Max was welcomed by experts from the UF Proton Centre in Jacksonville, Florida on November 11 and after a three week planning stage, underwent six weeks of gruelling treatment.

The process involved being zapped from lasers from several angles, while a plastic mask protected his face The youngster said it was “claustrophobic” while the mesh mask created imprints in his face, which he said made him look “like a snake” and he suffered sore patches on his neck.

But the family tried to make the trip an “adventure” for Max and his brother Lewis, 13, juggling the 28 sessions with trips to Orlando and to American Football matches and NHL ice hockey games while extended family jetted out to join them over the Christmas period.

They also spent time with many other families there including Romsey youngster Alfie Butler, who is one of the youngest to undergo the surgery, accompanied by parents James and Charlotte, and Max eventually returned home on January 6.

The NHS only funds a fraction of people needing the treatment.

The case of youngster Ashya King sparked global controversy when his parents Brett and Naghmeh sparked an international manhunt after they took the then five-year-old from Southampton General Hospital without doctors’ consent in August 2014.

The couple were arrested a few days later in Spain, where they were forced to spend several nights in prison away from their son, before being released.

A High Court judge later approved the move to take Ashya to Prague for proton therapy.

But while Max’s parents sympathised with the King’s plight, they are upset at the criticism handed out to the hospital, which they say has gone above and beyond to help their family and others.

Jason, 46, an electrician, said: “We want to praise and thank them. If it wasn’t for them recommending it we wouldn’t have known about it.

“I don’t know how anyone can slate the department. Everyone in that department is amazing – from the doctors to the play leaders and event the cleaners.”

They also said that plans to create proton beam therapy centres in Britain, including a private one in Cardiff and NHS centres in London and Manchester, will help many other families and he added: “Having it here will open up the gateway for more people to be treated. If it treats the tumours better, then everyone deserves to have it on the NHS.”

Kerry added: “It would be amazing to have it here for people. There are so many children that have chemotherapy and proton beam therapy who can’t travel all the way to America.

“You always want the best for your child.We just pray that this has worked and Max doesn’t have to go through this again . He’s been robbed of his childhood. We want him to get back to his cricket and football and going out with his friends.”

Max is back in school but must undergo a hectic schedule of appointments until doctors can find out whether he is finally free of cancer.