Cancer diagnosis forces tough choice in pregnancy

A Middlesbrough mother confronts aggressive cancer during pregnancy and the toll on her family.

Mother battles cancer in pregnancy loses baby

Sophia Yasin was 15 weeks pregnant when doctors found a chest mass during a hospital stay on September 2, 2023. Initial tests suggested pneumonia, and the seriousness of the lump only emerged after a biopsy confirmed stage 2 pre mediastinal B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Doctors warned that chemotherapy would risk the fetus, so she and her partner weighed their options before deciding to end the pregnancy to begin treatment.

On September 21, 2023, the baby, Kainatt Pearl, was stillborn. Sophia underwent six rounds of chemotherapy and was declared in remission in January 2025. She is now fundraising for Lymphoma Action while remembering Kainatt and sharing the lasting impact on her mental health and daily life.

This story highlights how easily pregnancy symptoms can mask a more serious illness and how crucial timely, multidisciplinary care is for pregnant patients with cancer. It points to gaps in triage when symptoms resemble normal pregnancy effects and the pressure families feel when treatment decisions threaten the fetus. A coordinated approach between obstetricians and haematology teams is essential to balance maternal health with fetal safety. The piece also underscores the emotional aftermath—grief, anxiety, and the long path to recovery—that follows a cancer diagnosis during pregnancy.

Highlights

Stories like this push for better care and more support for families facing illness in pregnancy.