First time mum says pregnancy masked cancer symptoms - after docs discover tumour from very dark skin Watch Video

⏲ Duration: 0:22
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✓ Published: 29-Apr-2024

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A first time mum with cancer says pregnancy masked her symptoms - after doctors discovered a tumour in her chest at 32 weeks. <br/><br/>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.<br/><br/>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. <br/><br/>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. <br/><br/>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.<br/><br/>Zoe has undergone chemotherapy and radiotherapy but both have not worked and she is in limbo while doctors decide next steps.