Research gives mum hope after breast lump in pregnancy
During one of the most special times in her life, paramedic Sarah Husband was diagnosed with HER2-positive breast cancer in October 2024.
Two years on, she shares her story as part of World Cancer Research Fund’s 112 Skips a Day in October challenge, which is fundraising for new treatments and improved advice and support for breast cancer patients.
Throughout her pregnancy, Sarah experienced breathlessness, chest discomfort and extreme fatigue alongside intermittent burning pain over a lump in her right breast – which she discovered at around six months pregnant.
Initially believing that her symptoms were pregnancy-related breast changes or a blocked milk duct, Sarah followed the advice she was given and tried warm compresses, but the lump did not go away.
Sarah explained:
“As time passed, I developed a sinking feeling that it may be something more serious, which prompted me to seek further investigation.”
After a biopsy in her third trimester, Sarah received her breast cancer diagnosis just one week after the birth of her son, Ted.
“I should have been soaking up those precious newborn moments, but the joy of becoming a mum again was suddenly overshadowed by fear.”
Her treatment began with six rounds of pre-operative chemotherapy, which shrunk the tumour “dramatically” but did not leave Sarah cancer-free.
“There were days I felt exhausted, sick and frightened, but motherhood doesn’t stop because you have cancer. My boys gave me a reason to keep putting one foot in front of the other.”
Further treatment included a skin-sparing mastectomy and lymph node removal, together with a tissue expander to begin the long journey towards breast reconstruction.
“As a paramedic, I was used to caring for others, but overnight I became the patient. My focus shifted from looking after people in their darkest moments to wondering whether I would live long enough to watch my own children grow up.”
Her treatment concluded with 14 rounds of post-operative chemotherapy and five high-dose radiotherapy treatments, followed by a targeted drug to reduce the risk of her cancer returning.
Alongside the side effects of treatment, Sarah describes her inability to breastfeed as one of the “quiet heartbreaks” that stays with her today.
“Like so many mothers, I imagined feeding my baby, comforting him and creating that bond. Instead, cancer took the choice away before I even had the chance. I remember crying for several nights as my milk came in and gradually dried up, knowing I could no longer feed my newborn.”
Today, Sarah’s scans are showing no evidence of disease (NED), which she credits to decades of research and the generosity of people who fundraise for it.
“Cancer research gives me hope. Every breakthrough represents another family who may have more birthdays together, more first days at school and more cuddles.”
Since her diagnosis, Sarah has made mindful changes to her diet, such as eating a wider variety of fruit and vegetables to support her health and help protect against weight gain, overweight and obesity – which are linked to at least 13 types of cancer.
“After experiencing something over which I have such little control, making thoughtful changes helps me feel like I’m doing everything in my power to support my recovery.”
Evidence from World Cancer Research Fund suggests that physical activity can help reduce risk of three common cancers: colon, post-menopausal breast cancer and womb cancer.
By signing up to 112 Skips a Day in October, you can help mothers like Sarah create more memories with their children and take steps to reduce your own cancer risk.
Follow us on social media
Your heart is a muscle. It pumps blood around your body to keep everything working. It beats more than 100,000 times every day. Keep your heart healthy by being active for 60 minutes every day, including skipping! 😘 This month we're launching our '112 Skips a Day' initiative, ...inspired by how over 11,200 people a year die from breast cancer in the UK. Turn it into action by skipping 112 times a day every day throughout October (that’s 3,472 skips in total!). Raise £10 for a free skipping rope, just send us a DM. #CardiB #GymTrainer #PT
Are more young people getting cancer?
You may have seen headlines about how the number of cancers diagnosed in people younger than 50 years old (early-onset cancers) are changing. And in many instances increasing over time.
New analysis by World Cancer Research Fund and The American institute for Cancer Research examined how ...cancer trends have changed between 2000/2001 and 2023 in the United States and England.
Head to the link in bio to read more about what the latest statistics mean.
Do you remember ever mastering this trick? 𓀪 Over 11,200 people a year die from breast cancer in the UK - that’s 30 people a day. Take on our skipping challenge so we can fund more research into it! BOUNCE over to our link in bio. #Exercise #Smiles #Charity
This month is #BreastCancerAwarenessMonth! We never said our challenges would be easy. The countdown is on to consider our next one! If you raise £150, a pink beanie is yours... You'll also be supporting breast cancer research. Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women, and the ...second-most common cancer globally. Many women diagnosed with breast cancer are living with overweight or obesity, yet we don’t fully understand how this affects treatment outcomes or side effects. Our study at the @University of Southampton will find out more. #Diet #Exercise #Chemotherapy
🤸 WE ARE CHEERING YOU ON. 🤸
Who’s feeling bouncy? Many of our supporters across the UK are taking part in a skipping challenge this #BreastCancerAwarenessMonth to help fund vital breast cancer research.
Breast cancer occurs when cells in the breasts become damaged and ...grow abnormally, forming a lump or thickening, known as a tumour. Our fundraisers are helping us support research at @Uni_Southampton on how body composition and nutrition affect women with breast cancer.
We'll be sharing many who are skipping on our feed and in our upcoming stories, so please do leave a like to cheer them on. 🎉
#Challenge #Gym #Illness
Skip to our good news. 😁
Since 2020, we’ve been funding a study which asks - is body weight a good enough way to decide how much chemotherapy someone should receive?
This is an observational study, simply setting out ways for this to be investigated in the future. This has ...now led onto a major, ambitious project at @Uni_Southampton, looking at the relationship between body composition and breast cancer treatment/recovery!
Each day we learn more. 😎
#Diet #Exercise #Chemotherapy
Being active has many benefits and helps to reduce your risk of cancer. 💪 Adults should aim to do 1 of the following: 1. At least 150 minutes a week (or 20–25 minutes a day) of moderate-intensity activity such as brisk walking. 2. 75 minutes a week (or 11 minutes a day) of vigorous-intensity... activity such as jogging or a workout. 3. A combination of moderate and vigorous activities. #Skipping #Outdoors #Immunotherapy
This Breast Cancer Awareness Month, meet Alice.
Alice was just four years old when she lost her mum to breast cancer. Devastatingly, cancer has stolen four more people from Alice’s family.
Her sister, @amyconroy10, also faced cancer as a teenager before becoming a four-time ...Paralympian with @teamgb🏅
Today, Alice is turning pain into purpose. She works as a cancer nurse and is passionate about supporting prevention research, ensuring fewer families face the same heartbreak she did 🔬
This October, why not sign up to run the Tokyo Marathon with @wcrfuk to fund research that helps stop cancer in its tracks 👟
Visit the link in our bio today.
#BreastCancerAwarenessMonth #Research #Exercise
It's Hereditary Cancer Awareness Week 🧬
Cancer has torn through James' family. Doctors found a genetic disorder, called Lynch syndrome, in his family tree - which puts people at higher risk of bowel, rectal, womb and ovarian cancers.
This devastating news made James ...determined to make a difference.
By signing up to a @wcrfuk event, you can help people live cancer-free lives. Could Tokyo be your next start line?
Run through one of the world's most iconic cities and help fund life-saving prevention research at the same time 🗼
Feeling up to the challenge? Find out more at the link in bio.
#HereditaryCancerAwarenessWeek #LynchSyndrome #CancerResearch
PLEASE COME FRIDAY LUNCHTIME! 😩 Do you know how long it took me to propose this dumb idea (link in bio!!)
And you get a voucher to cover ingredient costs 😇
#Lasagne #Vegeterian #CancerWarrior #Recipes #Prank
It's our final live class of the year (THIS FRIDAY!), so we thought we'd try something... different to encourage you all to come. 🥴 We are so proud of our 'Cook Thorough Cancer' series. Online cookery classes with specific tips on how to transform everyday staples into more ...palatable options for those experiencing cancer. Many are available (all for free!) as recordings on our website... but live is always more fun, as you can ask questions directly to our chef and dietitian. If you're living with cancer or cooking for someone living with cancer, then this class is for you! 👨🍳 #BehindTheScenes #Throw #SubtleForeshadowing #CancerAwareness #Chef
