Latest news with #breastcancer
Daily Mail
38 minutes ago
- Health
- Daily Mail
As 2025 kicked off my life was perfect - then everything spiralled out of control. Now I'm dealing with unimaginable grief and a stage three cancer diagnosis at just 27 years old
At the start of 2025 Chloe Haynes ' future felt busy in the best possible way. The special-education teacher and her partner Tom were saving for their first home, mapping a long-awaited trip to Japan, and quietly hoping to start a family by Christmas. Then, during a summer swim, Chloe brushed her hand beneath her left arm. 'I was fixing my swimmers and I felt a small little lump, the size of a pea,' Chloe, from Newcastle, told FEMAIL. Her mum and sister, who is a nurse, reassured her it was just a lymph node, so Chloe agreed and pushed the worry aside. Everything changed in March. Her 21-year-old brother died in a sudden traumatic accident and Chloe rushed home to Gloucester, taking six weeks off work to help plan the funeral and spend time with her grieving family. 'I was very stressed. I noticed the lump had grown, but I thought, my lymph nodes are probably flaring up because I'm grieving,' the 27-year-old said. By the end of May the bulge under her arm was unmistakable. When her sister finally saw it, she 'panicked' and ordered Chloe straight to a GP. Soon after, an ultrasound technician fell silent, ushered in colleagues, and sent Chloe for an emergency mammogram and biopsy. The call came the next afternoon as she shepherded students back from an excursion. 'The doctor said, "Chloe, I've got the results… is now a good time?" But I told him if he was ringing me in the middle of my work day, I knew it wasn't good.' He confirmed stage 3 triple-negative breast cancer that had 'already spread excessively' to her lymph nodes. Chloe has no family history of cancer and couldn't even get a referral for a mammogram at first because she was considered 'too young' for the killer disease. Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) accounts for about 10 to 15 percent of all breast cancers. It differs from other types in that it tends to grow and spread faster, has fewer treatment options and usually has a worse prognosis. This type of breast cancer has an average 77 percent five-year survival rate, but depending on the stage of the cancer, that rate can be as low as 12 percent. Triple negative cancers do not respond to hormone therapy or to the targeted therapy drugs used for other cancers. 'I just went completely numb,' Chloe said, recalling how she crumpled in the school office and sobbed in the principal's arms. 'I haven't been back to work since.' Only 24 hours earlier, Chloe and Tom had signed off on their first mortgage approval. 'We had actually been approved for a home loan the day before my diagnosis,' she said. 'We went back to the broker and said no. I'll be out of work for 12 months.' 'We thought we were going to have the house, the babies… all the fun, exciting things you're hoping for when you're 27. Now it's all pushed back by cancer.' Their Japan itinerary is cancelled; a visit to her best friend in England postponed. The travel fund now pays for petrol, parking, and hospital bills. Because chemotherapy could leave her infertile, Chloe was rushed into egg retrieval last week. 'It was really important for me to have one shot at saving that chance. If this round doesn't work, I don't have time for another,' she said. The moment doctors finish collecting her eggs, she begins six months of 'intense' weekly chemotherapy - sometimes three infusions a week - alongside year-long immunotherapy. Surgery will follow, perhaps a mastectomy; radiation may come after that. Chloe's parents, still raw from losing their son, drive two hours from Gloucester for every appointment. 'I don't know how Mum and Dad are doing it, but they drop everything for me,' she said. Tom takes unpaid days off to sit beside her in waiting rooms; the Gloucester Soccer Club raised $5,000 in a single weekend; an online appeal organised by friend Ella grows daily. Yet Chloe lies awake wondering how to cover rent and groceries. 'I've got no leave left - I used it all when my brother died,' she admitted. 'I hate that I'm stressing about money when I should be focusing on surviving.' Life that once raced from classroom to dinners, soccer matches and weekend getaways has slammed to a halt. 'I used to be go, go, go. Now I'm waiting between medical appointments. It's very different - and I'm scared.' She forces herself to find tiny joys: sunrise at the beach, craft videos on YouTube, lunch with a friend before her strength fades. 'I'm trying to flip it: these are terrible cards, but maybe I'll discover something that helps me relax.' Chloe is clinging to the dream that next year, when the IV drips are gone and her hair begins to grow back, she and Tom can restart the life they mapped out: a modest house, a Japan rail pass, a baby's first kicks. For now, Chloe takes each day as it comes. 'I'm trying to stay as positive as I can,' she said 'Everything is on hold - but I have to believe it's not gone forever.' What are the common symptoms of breast cancer? Breast lumps Changes in size or shape of breasts Changes to the skin including dimpling, a rash or puckering of the breast Changes to a nipple such as turning in or just feeling different to usual Abnormal nipple discharge Inflamed breast where your breast may look red or swollen Hard breasts A red, scaly rash on the breast Breast pain
CNN
an hour ago
- Sport
- CNN
Matthew Schaefer honors late mother after getting selected first overall by New York Islanders in NHL draft
Just over a year ago, Matthew Schaefer lost his mother, Jennifer, to breast cancer. Now, he's achieved the ultimate milestone – becoming an NHL player. The 17-year-old was selected by the New York Islanders with the first overall pick in the 2025 NHL draft on Friday in Los Angeles. An emotional Schaefer, a defenseman from the Ontario Hockey League's Erie Otters, was greeted by NHL commissioner Gary Bettman on the stage at the Peacock Theater, and was presented with an Islanders sweater that included a breast cancer ribbon stitched onto the jersey. Schaefer kissed the ribbon before breaking into tears with his father and brother in the crowd. Schaefer said the ribbon was a 'surprise' to him along with his mother's initals being embroidered into the collar of the jersey. 'This is a high class organization,' Schaefer told reporters. 'To do that for me, it means a lot – it goes a long way. A lot of people can say it's just a ribbon but it means a lot for me. 'My mom is a big part of my life. And this jersey, I will hang up for sure. That ribbon has a little extra meaning to it.' Schaefer also dealt with the deaths of the mother of his billet family and Otters owner Jim Waters in the last year. Schaefer added that he misses 'the person she was' the most when asked about his mother. 'She was always so happy,' Schaefer told the ESPN broadcast. 'She's gone through so much but the personality she had – cancer sucks and it's not fun. She didn't always feel the best but she was always the happiest in the family and always made us laugh and do anything for us.' The Canadian is the Islanders' fifth selection at first overall in franchise history, and the club's first since 2009 when they drafted John Tavares. Schaefer, a Stoney Creek, Ontario native, played 17 games with Erie last season, recording seven goals and 22 points before breaking his collarbone at the 2025 IIHF World Junior Championship with Team Canada in December. He won a gold medal and served as team captain of Team Canada at the 2024 Hlinka Gretzky Cup and also won gold with Canada at the 2024 IIHF World Under-18 Championship. 🗣️ NUMBER ONE. MATTHEW SCHAEFER!!#NHLDraft | #Isles Ahead of the draft, Schaefer showed off his draft day suit which featured a picture of his mother and her signature near his heart. 'That was the biggest thing to put on my heart. I always know she is with me in spirit,' Schaefer said. Islander fans at the draft watch party at UBS Arena in Elmont, New York gave Schaefer an rousing ovation after he told the crowd the team will 'beat' their crosstown rivals the New York Rangers 'every time we play them.' Schaefer becomes the fifth defenseman to be selected No. 1 overall, the first since Owen Power by the Buffalo Sabres in 2021. The Islanders made two other selections in Friday's first round following a trade with the Montreal Canadiens earlier in the day – forward Victor Eklund and defenseman Kashawn Aitcheson. The San Jose Sharks selected center Michael Misa with the second overall pick and the Chicago Blackhawks took Swedish forward Anton Frondell with the third pick. The Anaheim Ducks picked center Roger McQueen at No. 10 overall and the 18-year-old Canadian immediately hopped onto a helicopter to go to Disneyland. The wife of late NHL superstar Johnny Gaudreau, Meredith, announced the Columbus Blue Jackets' first selection of defenseman Jackson Smith at pick 14. The NHL draft continues through Saturday.
CNN
an hour ago
- Sport
- CNN
Matthew Schaefer honors late mother after getting selected first overall by New York Islanders in NHL draft
Just over a year ago, Matthew Schaefer lost his mother, Jennifer, to breast cancer. Now, he's achieved the ultimate milestone – becoming an NHL player. The 17-year-old was selected by the New York Islanders with the first overall pick in the 2025 NHL draft on Friday in Los Angeles. An emotional Schaefer, a defenseman from the Ontario Hockey League's Erie Otters, was greeted by NHL commissioner Gary Bettman on the stage at the Peacock Theater, and was presented with an Islanders sweater that included a breast cancer ribbon stitched onto the jersey. Schaefer kissed the ribbon before breaking into tears with his father and brother in the crowd. Schaefer said the ribbon was a 'surprise' to him along with his mother's initals being embroidered into the collar of the jersey. 'This is a high class organization,' Schaefer told reporters. 'To do that for me, it means a lot – it goes a long way. A lot of people can say it's just a ribbon but it means a lot for me. 'My mom is a big part of my life. And this jersey, I will hang up for sure. That ribbon has a little extra meaning to it.' Schaefer also dealt with the deaths of the mother of his billet family and Otters owner Jim Waters in the last year. Schaefer added that he misses 'the person she was' the most when asked about his mother. 'She was always so happy,' Schaefer told the ESPN broadcast. 'She's gone through so much but the personality she had – cancer sucks and it's not fun. She didn't always feel the best but she was always the happiest in the family and always made us laugh and do anything for us.' The Canadian is the Islanders' fifth selection at first overall in franchise history, and the club's first since 2009 when they drafted John Tavares. Schaefer, a Stoney Creek, Ontario native, played 17 games with Erie last season, recording seven goals and 22 points before breaking his collarbone at the 2025 IIHF World Junior Championship with Team Canada in December. He won a gold medal and served as team captain of Team Canada at the 2024 Hlinka Gretzky Cup and also won gold with Canada at the 2024 IIHF World Under-18 Championship. 🗣️ NUMBER ONE. MATTHEW SCHAEFER!!#NHLDraft | #Isles Ahead of the draft, Schaefer showed off his draft day suit which featured a picture of his mother and her signature near his heart. 'That was the biggest thing to put on my heart. I always know she is with me in spirit,' Schaefer said. Islander fans at the draft watch party at UBS Arena in Elmont, New York gave Schaefer an rousing ovation after he told the crowd the team will 'beat' their crosstown rivals the New York Rangers 'every time we play them.' Schaefer becomes the fifth defenseman to be selected No. 1 overall, the first since Owen Power by the Buffalo Sabres in 2021. The Islanders made two other selections in Friday's first round following a trade with the Montreal Canadiens earlier in the day – forward Victor Eklund and defenseman Kashawn Aitcheson. The San Jose Sharks selected center Michael Misa with the second overall pick and the Chicago Blackhawks took Swedish forward Anton Frondell with the third pick. The Anaheim Ducks picked center Roger McQueen at No. 10 overall and the 18-year-old Canadian immediately hopped onto a helicopter to go to Disneyland. The wife of late NHL superstar Johnny Gaudreau, Meredith, announced the Columbus Blue Jackets' first selection of defenseman Jackson Smith at pick 14. The NHL draft continues through Saturday.
Yahoo
9 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
The breast checks everyone needs to do, as Jessie J says cancer 'has all gone'
Jessie J says she is cancer free following surgery. The 37-year-old singer shared the news on Instagram this afternoon, saying her "cancer has all gone". Jessie, who revealed she had been diagnosed with breast cancer earlier this month, shared her pros and cons following surgery on the social media platform. Giving fans a health update, she listed the positives, writing, "Cancer has all gone" alongside a fingers crossed emoji. She also stated "my nipple is where it used to be, I can watch Love Island with no guilt, I am getting to rest and talk to friends more than ever, my mum lives with us…" View this post on Instagram A post shared by Jessie J (@jessiej) The former The Voice UK judge shared that she was grateful for her partner, Chanan Colman, making her feel safe, her two-year-old son Sky "just being Sky" and connecting with others going through something similar things and the support they could offer each other. Saying some of her cons were "very honest" and some were "silly", she listed downsides including, "Not being able to be the mum I used to be and picking up Sky", the fear of not knowing if the cancer was really all gone and also "not pooing from the anaesthetic and painkillers". Since surgery Jessie said she has been on ibuprofen and paracetamol because her blood pressure is too low to take stronger painkillers. She added that although the pain and discomfort is "ok and expected" it is "a d******d when I'm trying to sleep". Earlier this week, Jessie gave fans an insight into her surgery saying she will "always show the good and hard bits of any journey" she goes through. In an Instagram post, she said she was at home, resting and awaiting results. The Bang Bang singer thanked her medical team and virtually hugged all of her followers "going through something tough right now". Breast cancer is the most common cancer in the UK, most notably among women. Men can also develop this form of cancer so it's important for everyone to know how to check for it. Sally Kum, associate director of nursing and health information at Breast Cancer Now, said Jessie J's diagnosis emphasised the importance of early detection. "We know that receiving a breast cancer diagnosis can be devastating – and every 10 minutes someone in the UK hears this life-changing news," she said in a statement. "While breast cancer is less common in younger women, around 10,000 women aged under 50 are diagnosed each year in the UK. "We know firsthand from women we speak to that being diagnosed with breast cancer as a younger woman can feel incredibly isolating. "By sharing her own experience, Jessie is shining a spotlight on the reality of being diagnosed with breast cancer as a younger woman and on the importance of early detection of the disease whatever your age." She continued: "It's crucial that women are empowered to know the signs and symptoms of breast cancer and the importance of regular breast checking – which is as simple as TLC (touch, look and check) – as the sooner breast cancer is diagnosed, the greater the chance of treatment being successful." Here's everything you need to know about checking your breasts. Whatever your age, it's important to take time to get to know your breasts and what's normal for you. Everyone's breasts are different, and they can change with age and at different times of the month. It's important to get to know how your breasts normally look and feel so it will be easier to spot if there are any unusual changes for you. The two most important questions you should ask yourself while checking are: Can you feel anything new or unusual? Does anything look different to you? Everyone will have their own way of touching and looking for changes, according to Breast Cancer Now. It's crucial to get used to checking regularly and be aware of anything that's new or different for you. When checking your breasts, you must check your whole breast area, including up to your collarbone (upper chest) and armpits. A lump or swelling in the breast, upper chest or armpit A change to the skin, including puckering or dimpling A change in the colour of the breast – the breast may look darker, red or inflamed A nipple change, for example it has become pulled in (inverted) Rash or crusting around the nipple Unusual liquid, also called discharge, from either nipple Changes in size or shape of the breast It doesn't matter when you check your breasts, as long as you check them regularly. The NHS recommends checking them around once a month, but there is no harm in checking them more often than that. According to Breast Cancer Now, the biggest barrier to women not checking their breasts regularly is forgetting to do so. Other reasons include not being in the habit of checking, not having the confidence to check them, and not knowing how to perform self examination. Manveet Basra, associate director of public health, inclusion and awareness, at Breast Cancer Now, recommended that women make checking their breasts "part of their self-care routine while getting dressed, showering or applying moisturiser". "Checking your breasts only takes a few minutes and there's no right way to check, as long as you do it regularly." YouGov research conducted by has found men to be educationally lacking when it comes to breast cancer. Results showed only 20% of men would see their GP immediately with common symptoms of breast cancer, whilst 78% of men believe there to be poor awareness of the disease. Although breast cancer in men isn't overly common, the NHS still says around 350 to 400 breast cancer cases occur in men each year, so it's important to encourage the men in your life to check their breasts too. If you notice a change in your breasts that isn't normal for you, you should see your GP. It may not be due to cancer, but if it is, the earlier it's picked up, the better your chances of having successful treatment. Basra said: "The sooner breast cancer is diagnosed, the greater the chance of treatment being successful, and lives potentially being saved from breast cancer. "This is why we want every woman to know how vital breast checking is and to feel empowered to regularly check their breasts, so that it's easier to spot any new or unusual change and get them checked with a GP, along with attending breast screening appointments when invited." Read more about breast cancer: Brits less likely to die from cancer and 4 other things we learned from Cancer Research's biggest report yet (Yahoo Life UK, 5-min read) 'The symptom that led to my breast cancer diagnosis' (Yahoo Life UK, 5-min read) Breast-cancer checks could begin as young as 30 to catch disease early (The Telegraph, 7-min read)
The Sun
13 hours ago
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Jessie J reveals she's NOT cancer free as she shares new health update after mastectomy
JESSIE J revealed she doesn't yet know if she's cancer free after her mastectomy. The 37-year-old singer had the operation earlier this week in a bid to beat her breast cancer, and some fans misinterpreted a post that stated: "Cancer has all gone". 6 6 Jessie said her words had been "misunderstood" and that her statement was a "positive affirmation". She wrote: "I posted a list of pros and cons of having breast cancer surgery. The first pro I put was... the cancer has all gone'. "This was a positive affirmation NOT a fact. I don't have my results yet. I added the [fingers crossed emoji] in thinking people would understand and clearly a lot didn't. "A weird situation," she continued. "My fault for not being clearer. But for now I do not have my results after surgery which was only 6 nights ago. I pray it will be true soon but the journey of cancer isn't that simple unfortunately." Jessie is now taking a break from social media as she continues her recovery. "Tapping off socials for a week," she said. "Healthy and needed reset. To focus on my recovery and saying stuff that gets twisted of misread. "My head and boob hurts. Lol, Bye. Always loveeeee." After her operation, Jessie admitted she was struggling not being able to pick up her two-year-old son, Sky. She then outlined the 'pros' of the procedure, writing: "Cancer is all gone. "My nipple is where it used to be, I can watch Love Island with no guilt. "I am getting to rest and talk to friends more than ever. "My mum lives with us. Sky just being Sky. Chanan making me feel safe and the messages are 10/10. "Connecting with other people who are going through a similar time and being able to support each other." The list was then followed by a "cons" equivalent. "Not being the mum I'm used to being and picking Sky up," she typed. "The fear of not knowing if the cancer is all gone - the mental with this is... "The pain and discomfort is ok and expected but a d******d when I'm trying to sleep." Jessie explained how the only painkillers she was allowed to take were paracetamol and ibuprofen due to having low blood pressure. 6 She did try and clear up her post at the time, warning she hadn't meant for the statement to be read as "fact" and that she is still awaiting her results. The BRIT winner added: "I'm getting a lot of messages. Saying so happy all the cancer has gone. To be clear I added the [fingers crossed] emoji as it's a hope not a fact. "I only had my surgery 4 days ago. I was just saying the pros of surgery and this situation and being positive. But I will get my results soon. "And hopefully I can post that as a fact. But for now I don't know. But I will stay positive and talk what l want into the universe." Earlier this month, Jessie - who shares son Sky with basketball player Chanan Colman - revealed she had been diagnosed with breast cancer. Incredibly, she went ahead and performed at this year's Capital FM Summertime Ball in London on June 15. Jessie held back tears as she told the crowd at Wembley Stadium that she was taking a break to "beat breast cancer". 6 6 6
