Cancer diagnosis during pregnancy prompts tough choices

Sophia Yasin from Middlesbrough learns a rare cancer diagnosis after pregnancy symptoms, leading to a difficult abortion and ongoing treatment.

Mother to be faces cancer diagnosis after pregnancy symptoms

Sophia Yasin, a 29-year-old from Middlesbrough, discovered she was pregnant after buying a home with her husband. She describes extreme morning sickness, night sweats and itching as normal pregnancy symptoms and says doctors told her they would ease. At 14 weeks she collapsed at work and was taken to hospital for tests. Initial findings suggested pneumonia, but scans and a biopsy revealed a tumour near her heart and a rare cancer in her blood. Doctors gave the couple a short window to decide whether to continue the pregnancy. They chose to terminate at 15 weeks while chemotherapy began during the abortion. Ms Yasin went through six rounds of chemotherapy and went into remission in January 2025. She will mark the diagnosis with a 7km walk to raise funds for Lymphoma Action and hopes to try for another baby in about two years.

The story highlights how pregnancy can complicate diagnosis of serious illness and the difficult choices families face when life-saving treatment is needed. It also underscores the rapid pace of some cancers and the importance of coordinated care between oncologists, obstetricians and support services.

This case shows how quickly medical teams must balance two urgent concerns: saving a patient’s life and protecting a fetus. Late or masked symptoms can delay diagnosis in pregnancy, making swift, decisive care essential. It also reveals the deep emotional toll on families when a pregnancy must end to pursue treatment. The experience points to the value of multidisciplinary care and strong support networks for patients facing rare cancers.

Highlights

The path ahead will depend on ongoing health and future family planning.