First time mum says pregnancy masked cancer symptoms - after docs discover tumour
- 21 days ago
A first time mum with cancer says pregnancy masked her symptoms - after doctors discovered a tumour in her chest at 32 weeks.
Zoe Plastiras, 24, woke up struggling to breathe in September 2022 and called 111. She was told to go to A&E where she had a chest x-ray.
At 32 weeks, doctors discovered a 12cm tumour in Zoe's chest, but were unable to discover whether it was cancerous or not until she gave birth.
Her daughter, Ophelia, one, was born at 37 weeks on October 4, 2022, and in December 2022, Zoe underwent a biopsy which revealed she had lymphoma - a type of cancer that affects the lymphatic system.
Zoe had no cancer symptoms - which she believes was masked by pregnancy - but after Ophelia was born she lost a stone, started having night sweats and itchy skin.
Zoe has undergone chemotherapy and radiotherapy but both have not worked and she is in limbo while doctors decide next steps.
Zoe Plastiras, 24, woke up struggling to breathe in September 2022 and called 111. She was told to go to A&E where she had a chest x-ray.
At 32 weeks, doctors discovered a 12cm tumour in Zoe's chest, but were unable to discover whether it was cancerous or not until she gave birth.
Her daughter, Ophelia, one, was born at 37 weeks on October 4, 2022, and in December 2022, Zoe underwent a biopsy which revealed she had lymphoma - a type of cancer that affects the lymphatic system.
Zoe had no cancer symptoms - which she believes was masked by pregnancy - but after Ophelia was born she lost a stone, started having night sweats and itchy skin.
Zoe has undergone chemotherapy and radiotherapy but both have not worked and she is in limbo while doctors decide next steps.