Mum Denied Breast Cancer Screening Dies After Years of Refusal
Chantelle Van Der Watt, a 39-year-old mother of two from Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire, has been told she has incurable breast cancer after being repeatedly denied NHS screenings because she was considered 'too young'. She now has just five years to live and has launched a fundraiser to secure a permanent home for her family.
Chantelle moved from South Africa to the UK in 2020, where she had previously undergone annual mammograms due to a strong family history of cancer. Both her grandmothers died of breast cancer, and her grandfathers had liver and prostate cancer. Despite her concerns, the NHS breast screening programme only invites women from age 50, leaving her ineligible.
Plea for Screening Ignored Until Too Late
Chantelle repeatedly requested screenings from doctors and the breast clinic at Milton Keynes University Hospital. Eventually, the hospital agreed to start screenings at age 40. However, before reaching that milestone, she began feeling unwell and discovered a pea-sized lump in her right breast in January 2025 at age 39.
She consulted her GP and was referred to the hospital, where doctors allegedly told her, 'You're still young, you won't get it.' Despite the family history, no earlier screening was offered. In February 2025, Chantelle was diagnosed with breast cancer. By April 2025, the cancer had spread to her bones, and she was given a prognosis of five years to live.
Fundraising for a Home
Chantelle has set up a GoFundMe page to raise money for a deposit on a house, so her family can stop renting and have a stable home. She said, 'I turned 39 and two months later I was diagnosed with breast cancer. It's been horrific. I think of my kids, will I ever get to see them get married? They give you a time frame and you think 'will I get to see them go to prom?''
She added, 'We've been in the UK six years and this is house number six and I can't keep moving, I just want somewhere my family can call home.' The fundraiser aims to provide security for her husband and two children after her death.
Hospital Response
A spokesperson for Milton Keynes University Hospital said, 'We are very sorry that Chantelle is facing a cancer diagnosis at such a young age, and our thoughts are with her and her family. We remain fully committed to providing Chantelle with the highest standards of care and support throughout her cancer journey.'
The spokesperson clarified that eligibility criteria for breast cancer screening are set nationally, not by the Trust. They added, 'When patients are referred to us because of clinical concerns, they are assessed and investigated through specialist breast services. In Chantelle's case, once concerns were raised and appropriate referrals made, investigations were undertaken and a diagnosis reached promptly.'
NHS Screening Policy
The NHS invites all women for their first breast screening between ages 50 and 53, then every three years until age 71. This policy is based on the fact that most breast cancers develop in women over 50. However, Chantelle argues that her family history should have warranted earlier screening. The Department of Health and Social Care was contacted for comment but has not responded.
