Cancer diagnosis forces heartbreaking choice during pregnancy

Sophia Yasin was diagnosed with stage 2 pre mediastinal B cell non Hodgkin lymphoma at 15 weeks pregnant and faced a life changing choice.

Cancer diagnosis forces heartbreaking choice during pregnancy

Sophia Yasin, 29, from Middlesbrough, was 15 weeks into her pregnancy in September last year when doctors diagnosed stage 2 pre mediastinal B cell non Hodgkin lymphoma. The mass on her chest was growing rapidly and treatment with chemotherapy could endanger the baby, so she and her husband chose to end the pregnancy to start cancer treatment.

Sophia completed six rounds of chemotherapy and was declared in remission in January 2025. Her fundraising page says the loss of Kainaat Pearl, born stillborn on September 21, remains a deep wound, but she now wants to support Lymphoma Action. So far the fundraiser has raised about 1000 pounds.

This case shows how a medical emergency can collide with family plans and highlights the heavy burden of balancing maternal health with fetal safety. It raises questions about how clinicians discuss treatment options in pregnancy and how patients access emotional support during a crisis.

It also reveals the growing role of charities in providing information and community for people facing cancer. The story invites readers to consider the emotional fallout of such decisions and the importance of compassionate, patient centered care within the health system.

Highlights

Life and medicine intersect in hard moments that stay with families long after the symptoms fade.