Mother diagnosed with cancer while pregnant says baby saved her life
Mother, 30, who was diagnosed with breast cancer at 31 weeks pregnant says her baby boy ‘saved her life’ after she checked her breasts more regularly because they changed constantly due to hormones
- Claire Hilton-Ellison said her pregnancy resulted in her finding lump on her chest
- This is because she was checking her bust more due to it changing frequently
- Since her diagnosis in December, Liverpudlian has given birth to a healthy baby
A new mother has revealed how her baby saved her life after she was diagnosed with breast cancer at 31 weeks pregnant.
Claire Hilton-Ellison, from Liverpool, said her pregnancy helped her discover the pea-sized lump on her right breast in November 2020, because she was checking her bust more often due to it changing frequently.
Since her diagnosis in December, the 30-year-old has given birth to a healthy baby boy, Jude William, on February 1 and is soon due to finish her chemotherapy.
She will then need surgery and radiotherapy, and has said that her baby boy has given her a new level of determination to beat her breast cancer.
Claire Hilton-Ellison, from Liverpool,has revealed how her baby (pictured right) saved her life after she was diagnosed with breast cancer at 31 weeks pregnant (pictured left)
Claire (pictured during her treatment) said her pregnancy helped her discover the pea-sized lump on her right breast in November 2020, because she was checking her bust more often due to it changing frequently
She said: ‘I was checking my breasts more regularly when I was pregnant because I was noticing so many changes to them and I just wanted to keep on top of everything.
‘Being pregnant saved my life because if I wasn’t checking I would never have known and it could have been too late for me.’
Claire first spotted a pea-sized lump on her right breast back in November, when 31 weeks into her pregnancy, and went to the GP to get it checked.
Since her diagnosis in December, the 30-year-old (pictured with her partner Keith and their son) has given birth to a healthy baby boy, Jude William, on February 1 and is soon due to finish her chemotherapy
Claire (pictured with her son) will then need surgery and radiotherapy, and has said that her baby boy has given her a new level of determination to beat her breast cancer
‘It was quite a hard lump and not really moving, so I went to the doctors to get it checked out and then I was referred to the breast clinic where they did an ultrasound scan and biopsies,’ she recalled.
‘The results came back inconclusive so the doctors had to do more biopsies, but they had told me that they suspected it was going to be breast cancer.
‘I am glad they were honest with me about this because it softened the blow when I received my actual diagnosis as I had prepared myself for the worst and accepted it.’
After further tests, Claire received confirmation of her diagnosis, stage 3 invasive breast cancer, at 31 weeks pregnant.
Claire (pictured after giving birth) first spotted a pea-sized lump on her right breast back in November, when 31 weeks into her pregnancy, and went to the GP to get it checked
After further tests, Claire (pictured) received confirmation of her diagnosis, stage 3 invasive breast cancer, at 31 weeks pregnant
The new mother admitted that she was terrified but determined to beat her cancer for her unborn baby.
Claire added: ‘It was such a roller coaster of emotions. One minute I was upset and sad, the next I felt in control and determined to beat this. And then I would feel angry about why this was happening to me as I was soon to have my first baby.
‘After receiving my treatment plan I was so scared that it would be a risk to my baby. But my treatment was flipped so that I had the treatment that would’ve been harmful to Jude at the end after I had given birth to him.
‘So I started receiving chemotherapy through the third trimester until I had Jude, and then my chemotherapy started again three weeks after I had given birth.
The new mother (pictured during treatment) admitted that she was terrified but determined to beat her cancer for her unborn baby
While Claire (seen left on her birthday) hailed her pregnancy for saving her life as it led her to find the lump in her breast, she also said that her baby has given her a new level of determination to beat her cancer. Pictured right, Claire receiving chemo after having her son
Claire (pictured with her son) is raising money through a GoFundMe page for charities that have helped her through her journey
‘I am due to finish my chemo this week, and then I will need surgery and radiotherapy.’
While Claire hailed her pregnancy for saving her life as it led her to find the lump in her breast, she also said that her baby boy has given her a new level of determination to beat her breast cancer.
Eight most common signs of breast cancer
• A change in size or shape
• A lump or area that feels thicker than the rest of the breast
• A change in skin texture such as puckering or dimpling (like the skin of an orange)
• A redness or rash on the skin and/or around the nipple
• Your nipple has become pulled in or looks different, for example changed its position or shape
• Liquid that comes from the nipple without squeezing
• Pain in your breast or your armpit that’s there all or almost all of the time
• A swelling in your armpit or around your collarbone
She said: ‘Being pregnant and going through chemo was tough, but I was so determined to get through it because I need to be here for my baby that I’d not even met yet.
‘And now having a newborn, the determination levels are even higher. I am one of the only people he relies on so it gives me that get up and go element.
‘Having Jude here has really helped me cope with it all and distracted me from all of the side effects from chemo. I haven’t wanted to let my cancer ruin my time as a new mum.
She continued: ‘I make sure I am there for him and celebrating all of his milestones. He really is my saving grace. He puts me in a positive mindset because I need to be okay for him.
‘The treatment can cause infertility and bring on early menopause. I feel so lucky that I was able to fall pregnant when I did last May, because if I can’t have any more kids then at least I have Jude and have the experience of being a mum to him.
‘Lots of young women have to go through this before even thinking about having children, so the fact I had a healthy baby boy and could continue with treatment just makes me very grateful.’
Claire said that she wants to emphasise the importance of checking your bodies no matter what age because it can save lives.
She added: ‘I want to encourage women to regularly check their breasts, trust their gut and push to be seen at a breast clinic because it will save lives. Time is so precious when it comes to cancer.’
Claire is raising money through a GoFundMe page for charities that have helped her through her journey.
Source: Read Full Article