Sunderland mum diagnosed with breast cancer while pregnant helping other women as part of new research

A Sunderland mum is proud to be part of study to improve women’s wellbeing after breast cancer

 Kelly Ross, 39, from Sunderland is taking part in a new research project that will help women to make healthy lifestyle choices after breast cancer treatment.

 Funded by research and support charity Breast Cancer Now, researchers at Newcastle University will develop a programme that aims to improve women’s access to nutrition and physical activity support once their breast cancer treatment is completed.

Kelly was diagnosed with grade three oestrogen receptor positive (ER-positive) breast cancer in October 2022, while 28 weeks pregnant with her son Rudy, now six months.  

 After a referral to the local breast clinic for biopsies and other tests, Kelly was told the devastating news she had breast cancer and was booked in for lymph node removal and a single mastectomy at 32 weeks pregnant.

 To ensure that Kelly could start chemotherapy as soon as possible, clinicians suggested she should be admitted to hospital so the birth could be induced at 38 weeks.

“I found a lump in my armpit and thought it must be related to my pregnancy so I wasn’t too concerned.  My GP was very supportive and sent me for tests to get checked out," she said.

“I started chemo pretty much straight after Rudy was born and found the side effects physically and mentally gruelling.

"I was mum to my newborn Monday – Wednesday but after my chemo on Thursdays I just felt hideous and had to rely on my family for help.” 

Kelly completed her chemotherapy in May 2023 and has been keen to rebuild her strength through exercising.

She went to the gym regularly before her diagnosis and during treatment missed the positive impact it had on her mental health. 

 “I’ve always struggled with my mental health and have relied on exercise to boost my mood," she said.

"Since completing my treatment I’ve tried to go back to the gym, but I have lost all my confidence. I don’t know what my body is capable of anymore and I’m self-conscious about having no hair and just one breast.”

 Adapting to life after treatment for breast cancer can be difficult, and there are few programmes available that specifically support women to stay active and follow a healthy diet after having the disease.

 More women are living with and beyond breast cancer than ever before, with survival rates doubling in the last 40 years, but one in three, will experience persistent tiredness after treatment, and almost half (48%) of women will experience depression and anxiety.

 Scientists have known for some time that leading a healthy lifestyle after a breast cancer diagnosis can help with these symptoms. And it could lower the risk of breast cancer coming back.

 The four-part study will see researchers develop a way for healthcare teams to refer women to existing community support services, as well as provide guidance on how these services could be adapted to support women after breast cancer treatment.

 Kelly will be advising on the study and believes the research is vitally important.

“When you ring your bell to finish the treatment so many women are left thinking ‘what now?’" she said.

"Your confidence is in pieces and the last place you feel like going to is the gym or an exercise class.

"I think it’s important that women can come together after their breast cancer treatment and get support about healthy eating and exercise that is tailored to them.

"It would also be so helpful to meet women who have been through a similar experience or look the same as me.

"The groups would be so much more than support with nutrition and physical activity, it would be women sharing experiences and empowering each other to rebuild our lives.”

Dr Sam Orange from Newcastle University will be leading the study.

“Surviving breast cancer doesn’t always mean living well," he said.

"That’s why we’re keen to develop a support programme that will help women with healthy eating and exercise habits after breast cancer treatment.

"We know that adapting existing services is more efficient than developing new ones from scratch and means the support programme is more likely to become part of standard care for breast cancer.

"This could help women improve their quality of life and it could even lower their risk of the disease coming back.’’

 Dr Simon Vincent, director of research, support and influencing at Breast Cancer Now, which will fund the study, said: “Almost 55,000 women are diagnosed with breast cancer each year in the UK and these numbers are rising.

"This project has real potential to help women to adopt and maintain healthy diet and physical activity habits after treatment, with the scope to especially help women experiencing long lasting low mood or extreme tiredness.

"Whilst many women are living longer after a breast cancer diagnosis, the period after finishing active treatment can be very challenging and lonely. So it’s vitally important these women get the support they need at this time to ensure they have the best possible quality of life.”

 Breast Cancer Now is here for anyone affected by breast cancer, providing support for today and hope for the future. Find out more at breastcancernow.org