A mother shared her distress at the possibility of not witnessing her son’s growth after discovering a lump while breastfeeding, which was later diagnosed as cancer.
Paula Glover, aged 46, noticed a lump in her right breast while breastfeeding her four-month-old son. Initially dismissing it as a blocked milk duct, given her family’s history of breast cancer, she sought medical advice. Despite inconclusive results from a needle biopsy and ultrasound, a subsequent full biopsy revealed triple-negative breast cancer.
Paula underwent chemotherapy and a double mastectomy with immediate reconstruction, followed by no further treatment. Almost a decade later, she detected another lump near her right breast and armpit while applying deodorant.
Subsequent removal of the cancerous lump, followed by another round of chemotherapy and 15 sessions of radiotherapy, rendered Paula cancer-free with no need for further medical appointments.
Reflecting on her experience, Paula, an occupational psychologist from Camberley, Surrey, expressed her initial lack of concern about the lump, attributing it to breastfeeding. However, the cancer diagnosis was a significant shock, raising fears about the future and her ability to see her son grow up.
Following multiple treatments and surgeries, including a body scan to ensure the cancer had not spread, Paula was relieved to be declared cancer-free. Unfortunately, nine and a half years later, in November 2021, she discovered a lump in her right armpit, leading to a recurrence of cancer.
Further examinations and surgeries confirmed the return of cancer, prompting Paula to undergo additional chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Despite a missed cancerous lump during an initial surgery, subsequent treatments successfully eradicated the cancer.
Paula’s advice to women is to stay vigilant about their health, trust their instincts, and advocate for proper medical care. Breast Cancer Now, in collaboration with Omaze, is conducting a fundraiser this October to raise awareness and funds, offering a chance to win a house in Surrey.
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This revised content provides a fresh perspective on Paula’s journey with breast cancer, emphasizing her resilience and the importance of early detection and proactive medical care. It maintains the original article’s essence while presenting the information in a new format for readers.
