A woman from Lancashire who is believed to be the first in the UK to give birth while living with stage 4 cancer has welcomed a healthy baby girl. Joanna Jonathan, 36, from Haslingden, gave birth to Dylann on 15 June 2021, nearly two years after her diagnosis.
Joanna was diagnosed with ALK-positive lung cancer on 23 July 2019, 14 months after first experiencing symptoms. The cancer had spread to her lymph nodes and both sides of her chest. Despite her incurable condition, she and her husband Daniel were delighted to add to their family. 'All my medical team told me I was the first woman to have stage four cancer and have a baby,' she said.
Joanna began targeted chemotherapy treatment with the drug Alectinib in November 2019. Although the drug is not recommended during pregnancy, she and her doctors decided to continue, with regular scans to monitor the baby's development. 'The risks of stopping outweighed the risks of staying on them,' she explained.
Joanna already has a daughter, Freya, and was pregnant with her when she first fell ill. She worries about not being there for her children. 'Not being around my daughters is my biggest fear,' she said. 'Knowing one day I'll not be here for my children is like a dagger to the heart.'
Despite the challenges, Joanna hopes her story gives hope to others with ALK-positive lung cancer. 'I'm so very proud that I've given other women, and men, hope for the future and having families of their own,' she said.
