An Accrington mother-of-two who was diagnosed with breast cancer when her youngest child was four months old is supporting a Cancer Research UK campaign to fund medical breakthroughs.
Rebecca Oldham learned she carried the BRCA1 gene fault in 2015, shortly after the birth of her first child, Emily.
This gene fault increases the risk of certain types of cancer, including breast cancer.
Despite this, Ms Oldham and her partner, Steven, decided not to opt for preventative surgery, as they hoped to have another child.
Tragically, in 2017, Ms Oldham was diagnosed with triple-negative breast cancer after discovering a lump while breastfeeding her son, Jack.
She had to endure eight months of treatment, including a mastectomy.
Just a few months after her recovery, Ms Oldham was diagnosed with cervical cancer, which required chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and brachytherapy.
Despite the challenges she faced, including hospitalisation for sepsis, Ms Oldham made a good recovery.
She had her left breast removed as a preventative measure and attempted to have her ovaries and fallopian tubes removed last year.
However, the surgery was unsuccessful due to scar tissue from her previous treatments.
A consultant is planning to attempt the surgery again on October 31.
Ms Oldham, 45, is now sharing her story during Breast Cancer Awareness Month, to raise awareness of the importance of research in transforming cancer treatment.
She said: "As soon as I heard the words, ‘It’s cancer,’ I was convinced I wasn’t going to see my children grow up.
"Then I had to go through it all again just a few months later when I was re-diagnosed.
"It was devastating.
"But it’s something I’ve had to come to terms with, helped by knowing that – thanks to Cancer Research UK - so many preventative measures and targeted drugs are now available because of this landmark discovery."
Ms Oldham, who is studying for a degree and training to be a counsellor, also talked about the importance of donations to Cancer Research UK.
She said: "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."
Cancer Research UK spokesperson for the North West, Jane Bullock, said: "Together, we are beating cancer.
"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."
To donate, visit cruk.org/donate.
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