'I was seven months pregnant... I thought it was just a normal side-effect'

A mum-of-two thought she was just feeling unusual symptoms because she was seven months pregnant. Then she found out she was living a nightmare.

At 28 weeks pregnant, Lindsay O’Malley from Bolton was told she had an aggressive form of breast cancer which had already spread to her liver. Lindsay was aged just 33 at the time, and assumed her left breast felt hard because she was pregnant.

But after finding out the horrifying news, she was forced to start gruelling treatment. Lindsay was given staged chemotherapy treatment at 30, 33 and 36 weeks of her pregnancy.

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Thankfully, baby Rebekah was born safely and recently celebrated her 14^th birthday. Lindsay was given more chemotherapy following the birth followed by surgery to remove her left breast and then radiotherapy.

Husband James rallied to support Lindsay, their two-year-old son Joshua and new baby Rebekah. Lindsay had been adopted, and while she was recovering from the gruelling treatment, she requested genetic testing having found out that her birth mother had been treated for breast cancer.

Lindsay tested positive for the faulty BRCA1 gene. She urged her birth mum to consider genetic testing and she too tested positive.

Lindsay chose to have a full hysterectomy which plunged her straight into the menopause in her 30s. The following year she had preventative surgery to remove her right breast.

Now, Lindsay is backing a Cancer Research UK campaign to help fund more big breakthroughs in research.

Thirty years ago this month, Cancer Research UK scientists were at the forefront of the discovery of the BRCA genes – helping to reveal that faults in these genes increase people’s risk of developing certain cancers including breast, ovarian, prostate and pancreatic cancers.

Around 70 per cent of women with faulty BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes will develop breast cancer by the age of 80. But 47-year-old Lindsay feels that “forewarned is forearmed”. Three decades later this incredible breakthrough is saving and improving the lives of people like her - now and in the future - by revolutionising how these cancers are prevented, diagnosed and treated, says the cancer charity.

Lindsay credits research with her survival. After years of studying, Lindsay recently qualified as an adult nurse and has just started work.

She said: “James and I were determined to remain positive throughout my pregnancy with Rebekah. I was incredibly fortunate to have such amazing support from my family, friends and the church community. At the time, the oncology team in Bolton hadn’t dealt with someone who was pregnant with cancer, so it was a scary time. But I was in safe hands and received excellent care every step of the way.

“If I had been pregnant with cancer 20 years earlier, then I wouldn’t have survived.

“But advances in research are fantastic. Thanks to Cancer Research UK so many preventative measures and targeted drugs are now available because of this landmark discovery.

“The size of the prize that has come from investing in BRCA research over the last 30 years is remarkable. And most important of all, it has given families like ours hope. Advances like this simply wouldn’t be possible without regular monthly donations from the public that keep the charity’s scientists researching month in, month out. This vital work needs our support to help create more ‘Eureka!’ moments.”

The charity has been responsible for a new family of drugs called PARP inhibitors. Often used to treat people with faulty BRCA-driven cancers, researchers are now exploring how they could be used to treat many more types of the disease.

Lindsay added: “Knowledge is power and now I feel the children and I can look forward to a better and brighter future. Cancer Research UK has helped to change the course of my family’s cancer story, so I’m determined to help raise vital awareness and funds.

“We have been very open with our children about my cancer treatment and we will discuss the BRCA gene with them when they are older. I feel incredibly lucky to see them both growing up.”

With around 44, 700 people diagnosed with cancer every year in the North West, Lindsay’s message is that to save lives tomorrow, the charity needs people’s support today.

Cancer Research UK spokesperson for the North West, Jane Bullock, said: “Together, we are beating cancer. From understanding DNA repair and helping to discover the BRCA genes to developing treatments for faulty BRCA-driven cancers, we’re making huge leaps forward thanks to the generosity of our supporters. So, we’re grateful to Lindsay for helping to highlight the enormous difference a regular income makes to our work.

“It means we can plan ahead, committing to long-term research projects with huge potential to help save more lives. And because of monthly donations we can learn more, faster and accelerate progress.

“We hope people will consider giving regularly to the charity, if they can, because our work isn’t done yet. We want to bring about a world where everybody lives longer, better lives, free from the fear of cancer. No matter who they are or where they’re from.”

Inherited cancer genes: Who is at risk?

Cancer Research UK Senior Health Information Manager, Dr Claire Knight, explains what it means to have a ‘strong family history of cancer’ and how people can seek help.

She said: “We all have BRCA genes, which contain instructions for repairing our DNA when it gets damaged. But around 1 in 400 people inherit a rare fault in these genes which increases their risk of developing certain types of cancer.*** Because cancer is common, most families will have at least one person who has or has had cancer. But having a couple of relatives diagnosed with the disease doesn’t mean there is a cancer gene fault running in the family.

“Generally, a ‘strong family history’ of cancer means multiple close family members on the same side of the family who have the same cancer type. If this sounds like your family, you might be eligible for an NHS genetic test. You need to be referred for this test by a specialist, so you need to talk to your GP first.

“Your GP will ask you who in your family has had cancer, the type of cancer they had and how old they were when they were diagnosed. You may then be referred to a genetic clinic where they’ll take a detailed look at your family history and decide if you need a genetic test.

“If you have a strong family history, deciding on genetic testing, or finding out you carry a cancer gene fault and considering your options, can be very emotional. People can visit the Cancer Research UK website for support or speak to our cancer nurses on our helpline.”

Donate monthly to Cancer Research UK at cruk.org/donate