When 28-year-old new mother Bethany Old discovered a lump while breastfeeding her baby daughter, she assumed it was just a blocked milk duct - a common issue for nursing mothers. But the terrifying reality would change her life forever.
The Dangerous Assumption
"I was exclusively breastfeeding my daughter at the time, so when I felt this lump, I just put it down to a blocked duct," Bethany recalls. "I kept massaging it, using warm compresses, all the things you're supposed to do. But it just wouldn't shift."
For six long weeks, Bethany continued with this assumption, despite the persistent lump that refused to disappear. Like many new mothers, she was focused entirely on her baby's needs, putting her own health concerns on the back burner.
The Devastating Diagnosis
When the lump remained unchanged, Bethany's mother intervened, insisting she visit her GP. What followed was every young person's worst nightmare.
"I was diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer," Bethany reveals. "It was the biggest shock of my life. I was only 28, fit and healthy, with a newborn baby. Cancer wasn't even on my radar."
A Mother's Fight For Survival
Bethany's world turned upside down as she faced intensive treatment while caring for her infant daughter. Her journey included:
- Six rounds of chemotherapy
- A single mastectomy
- Fifteen sessions of radiotherapy
- Immunotherapy treatment
"The hardest part was losing my hair while my daughter was learning to pull herself up," Bethany shares emotionally. "She'd use my hair to pull herself up, and suddenly there was nothing there."
The Vital Warning For All Mothers
Now in remission, Bethany is determined to raise awareness about breast cancer in young women and new mothers. Her message is clear and urgent.
"Don't assume any lump is just a blocked duct," she warns. "If it doesn't go away after a week of trying to clear it, please get it checked. It's better to be safe than sorry."
Her story serves as a crucial reminder that cancer doesn't discriminate by age, and that new mothers need to prioritise their own health alongside caring for their babies.
