I was given 6 months to live after a ‘pulled muscle' in yoga class – just days after I gave birth
TRAGIC DIAGNOSIS I was given 6 months to live after a 'pulled muscle' in yoga class – just days after I gave birth
ZOE Handscomb-Edwards was shocked to learn a pain she thought was a pulled muscle was diagnosed as cancer.
At 44, mere weeks after having her first baby, Penelope, the mum from Dorset faced a devastating prognosis - she had as little as six months left to live.
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Zoë has been given as little as six months to live
Credit: Kennedy News
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The lump on the mum's right thigh that she initially believed to be a pulled muscle
Credit: Kennedy News
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The 44-year-old was pregnant when she discovered she had cancer
Credit: Kennedy News
'It was the worst day of my life,' said Zoë, a digital marketing manager, as she remembered being told she had sarcoma, a type of cancer that starts in the bones and soft tissue.
It's a fairly rare illness, with around 15 people diagnosed each day in the UK - adding up to roughly 5,500 cases annually.
It all began in October 2022 when Zoë first spotted the lump on the back of her right thigh.
She said: "I was in yoga with my friend, and I said 'what do you think this is?'.
"The lump was bigger than a golf ball, it wasn't painful and I had no side effects from having it.
"We both felt it and she said 'it feels like you've just pulled a muscle'."
And then, Zoë found out she was pregnant.
"It was incredible, we were so happy," she said.
For "peace of mind" and so she could "focus on being a mum", Zoë decided to get the lump looked at by her GP in March.
In May 2023, three months after her first doctor's appointment, Zoe was told she had PEComa, a very rare type of soft tissue sarcoma.
The symptoms of sarcoma cancer including tummy pain
"I was told the stats of PEComa is fewer than one in a million people worldwide each year," she said.
"I remember walking out of the hospital and bursting into tears in the car park," she added.
The mum was referred to the sarcoma clinic at Bournemouth Hospital in Bournemouth, Dorset, and then moved under the care of The Royal Marsden in Chelsea, London.
The same month, while seven months pregnant with Penelope, Zoe underwent surgery to remove a 20cm tumour.
A PET scan in August, just a month after her planned C-section, revealed the cancer had spread, defining her prognosis.
"They told me I had between six months and two years to live," she said.
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While seven months pregnant with Penelope, Zoe underwent surgery to remove a 20cm tumour
Credit: Not known, clear with picture desk
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Her daughter was born via c-section in July 2023
Credit: Kennedy News
"It was another worst day of my life," she added.
"I remember thinking I was going to die and I wasn't going to see Penelope grow up.
"The thought of not seeing her grow up is what always gets me, but it also keeps me going.
"Every moment I have with Penelope and Rob, and my friends and family is precious."
What is PEComa?
PEComa is a very rare type of soft tissue sarcoma that develops from the cells lining the blood vessels.
PEComa, also known as perivascular epithelioid cell tumour, is a very rare sarcoma that can occur anywhere throughout the body.
But, it most often occurs in the uterus, skin, liver and gut. It's most commonly associated with young to middle-aged adults.
It is also far more common in women.
The cause of PEComa is unknown, but researchers think that PEComa is caused by errors in genes called TSC1 and TSC2.
The mum was told her treatment options were limited as there is no reatment pathway for PEComa.
"Radiotherapy gave me some more time," she explained.
"I said I wanted to travel so we took Penelope at three months' old, while I was on maternity leave, and did a three-week trip around Europe, which was amazing.
"I'm not trying to chase down a cure, obviously if my cancer went away that would be incredible but every doctor I've spoken to has said it's incurable.
"In my mind I've thrown the prognosis out of the window and I'm just living, this August will be two years and I'm doing okay."
After surgery on her leg and palliative radiotherapy, Zoë is now seeking 'experimental' treatments not available on the NHS.
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The mum after her leg surgery
Credit: Not known, clear with picture desk
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She is worried she won't see her daughter grow up
Credit: Kennedy News
Husband Rob Handscomb-Edwards, 37 and has launched a GoFundMe to raise money for them, to give Zoë as much time as possible with her family, including now, 23-month-old Penelope.
Zoë said: "The radiotherapy bought me some time. This is how I've made peace with my cancer, we make a plan and do something that buys me more time.
"Chemotherapy doesn't really help with PEComa. I've found other PEComa patients from around the world on Facebook and we share our information about what's helping them.
"Unfortunately most of them are not covered on the NHS because they're considered experimental.
"We're decided on a £40,000 goal for a year's worth of targeted treatment.
"The outpouring of love from everybody keeps me going now it's a waiting game. It's been a really tough two years, but I've made my peace with it.
"It's really important to raise awareness of rare cancers. It's so important to get any unusual lumps or bumps checked out as soon as possible."
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Zoë and her husband Rob on their three-week trip around Europe
Credit: Kennedy News
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Scottish Sun
3 days ago
- Scottish Sun
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Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 12 Paisley McMaster, 6, got badly sunburned while playing in the pool on July 5 Credit: Kennedy News 12 The tot's skin broke out in large, pus-filled blisters Credit: Kennedy News 12 The tot was rushed to hospital where her blistered skin had to be 'peeled' off Credit: Kennedy News 12 Her mum Lauren McMaster, 30, said she was 'traumatised' by the experience Credit: Kennedy News Lauren said her daughter was running in and out of the house so she wasn't in the sun for too long, but the mum still made sure to reapply factor 50 sun cream on her daughter every 30-40 minutes "because she's ginger". She even placed an umbrella over the pool when it got to midday, when the sun is the hottest. Lauren normally dresses Paisley in a t-shirt to avoid the sun, but she let the youngster try out her new swimsuit - which exposed her shoulders to the sun's rays more than usual. 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"I put an umbrella over the pool around the middle of the day because I know that's the hottest time of the day. 12 Paisley was 'hysterical and screaming' as she had her blistered skin removed Credit: Kennedy News 12 The tot begged to go home while it was happening Credit: Kennedy News 12 She was later covered up in bandages Credit: Kennedy News 12 It could take up to two years for Paisley's skin to recover Credit: Kennedy News "When she was in the shower, I noticed she was a bit red so I put some after sun on her and then got her ready in her pyjamas. "She woke up at 4am just screaming in pain and the sunburn was a lot more red. "The next day the blisters started, very little, and the blisters started forming together to make a bigger blister. "I called 111 and they called me back the next morning and told me to take her to hospital." The much watched horrified as medics removed Paisley's burnt and blistered skin. "They literally just pinched [blisters] and pulled them from her skin. 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"A plastic surgeon came and he got some scissors, made a little hole and just let the liquid pour out and then cut the blister with the scissors and she was much calmer that way." The mum said Paisley is now doing better but it could take up to two years for her skin to return to normal. How to care for sunburn safely WE should all avoid getting burnt in the sun as it can cause skin cancer. But if you do get burnt this summer, it's important to take care of your skin safely. Your skin will likely feel hot to the touch, be sore and painful, and flake or peel after a few days. If your burn is severe, your skin may also blister. According to the NHS, the best ways to ease sunburn yourself are to: Get out of the sun as soon as possible Cool your skin with a cool shower, bath or damp towel (take care not to let a baby or young child get too cold) Apply aftersun cream or spray Drink plenty of water to cool down and prevent dehydration Take painkillers, such as paracetamol or ibuprofen for any pain Cover sunburnt skin from direct sunlight until skin has fully healed You should also avoid using petroleum jelly, putting ice or ice packs directly on sunburnt skin, popping blisters, scratching or trying to remove peeling skin and tight-fitting clothing. Most of the time, sunburn can be treated at home. 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Scottish Sun
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My perfect new D-cup boobs nearly killed me after doubling in size – they poisoned me with a killer disease
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The signs and symptoms of cancer As of February this year, the FDA has received 1,380 reports of BIA-ALCL cases and 64 deaths, both from in and outside the US. According to the 2019 report, approximately 85 per cent of BIA-ALCL cases have been in people who received BIOCELL textured implants from Allergan. Advertisement On their website, Allergan says patients' with textured implants don't need to have them removed unless they have cancer symptoms. Colette underwent an operation in June to have her implants removed and was subsequently told she's now cancer-free. 7 Colette got her 'perfect' D-cup boobs done after losing weight from hitting the gym Credit: Kennedy News 7 She didn't know that Allergan implants had been recalled in 2019 due to links with cancer Credit: Kennedy News Advertisement 7 The mum underwent surgery to have her implants removed Credit: Kennedy News She's now warning other women about the potential dangers of textured implants. 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BIA-ALCL is rare cancer of the white blood cells - also known an lymphoma - that grows due to the body's reaction to a breast implant. In the UK, the majority of BIAALCL is diagnosed early and cured by removal of the implants with surrounding scar tissue with no additional cancer treatment required. However, a small number of people may need further treatment such as chemotherapy, immunotherapy or radiotherapy. BIA-ALCL has mainly been reported in people with breast implants which have a rough silicone surface. But the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (BAAPS) said any breast implant may have the potential to cause the cancer. There are no screening tests for BIA-ALCL. People with breast implants, with no breast symptoms or signs, don't routine clinical checks or monitoring with mammograms, ultrasound or MRI. If you have no breast symptoms or signs but are worried about BIA-ALCL, BAAPS advised you contact the surgeon who put your implants in, or the clinic or hospital where you had them inserted for advice. Symptoms can appear as early as one year after you receive the implant or many years later. On average, symptoms start eight years after surgery. The symptoms of BIA-ALCL include: Enlargement or swelling of your breast Hardening of your breast Lumps in your breast or armpit Pain in your breast or armpit Redness or skin rash on or around your breast (rarely) If you experience symptoms that concern you, remember that noncancerous issues are a much more likely cause. These may include: Capsular contracture Implant rupture Infection Recent trauma Source: BAAPS, Cleveland Clinic Colette said: "I was upset about my children, I was worried about work, I was devastated. I was frightened I was going to die. "I didn't know how far it had gone. I went for an MRI and CT scan and the doctor said he could see something on my collarbone and the back side of the capsule. "So they said they'd take a part of my pec muscle away in case it had spread. Advertisement "He did tell me that this [cancer] is only in textured implants. These implants have now been banned and taken off the market. "I didn't know anything about it until this." Smooth breast implants aren't as commonly associated with BIA-ALCL, but research is still underway to confirm this. Calls for compensation After a successful operation to remove her implants last month, Colette was told she is now cancer-free but will need reconstructive surgery on her breasts in the future. Advertisement Colette believes anyone with Allergan implants should be offered a free removal due to the proven risks, and compensation should be offered to patients who do develop cancer. Colette said: "Even if you have these implants, if you've got no symptoms, you can't just ask to have them out. "You have to pay for that but there's going to be more and more cases over the next few years. "I've been lucky. I'm just so grateful to be all clear. Advertisement "There's just not enough awareness about this. Unless you have visible swelling or pain, you'd have no idea. "If my breast hadn't been inflamed that day, I could've easily carried on with life and they might not have caught it early enough. "I do think Allergan should hold more responsibility for it and pay for women to have their breast implants out, whether they have symptoms or not. "It's not as uncommon as they're making out. Everybody who has these implants should at least be offered some sort of scan. Advertisement "I think they should pay out to people who get sick, there should be some kind of compensation. "I've not been able to work and it's caused a huge amount of worry to me and my family." The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) says there is no need for people with breast implants but no signs or symptoms of BIA-ALCL, to have them removed or checked. But anyone with unusual signs or symptoms, such as swelling around their breast implant, should see a doctor. Advertisement Allergan said they didn't have anything additional to add beyond what they posted on their website.
