HANNAH Lynch burst into tears when she was told she had breast cancer.
The 29-year-old described the day as simply the worst of her life.
But she said things took an even nastier turn when doctors broke the news that her treatment could make her infertile.
Hannah and her partner Cameron, 29, had dreamt of the day they could hold their little one in their arms.
Despite being desperate for a baby, they gradually came to accept it would likely never happen.
But following rounds of intensive chemotherapy and radiotherapy, Hannah got the shock of her life.
Not only was she cancer-free – she was also pregnant.
Hannah, from Manchester, said: “When I was told I had cancer, I just burst into tears.
“My mum and dad were with me and they broke down too.
“It was the worst day of mine and my family’s life.
“I immediately asked if I was going to die.
“Then I thought about how I’d lose my hair – I loved my long blonde hair, it was my crown.
“But then the worst part came. My partner Cameron and I had recently decided to try for a baby and they said I needed to prepare for the fact that I may never be able to have children, as the treatment was likely to make me infertile.
“This felt worse than the news I had cancer.”
Hannah quickly had her eggs frozen and began to get to grips with the idea she would probably never be a mum.
But just as she was given the all-clear, she found out she was expecting.
“It was quite a surprise, she’s our little miracle,” the primary school teacher said.
The couple welcomed little Billie into the world at 37 weeks in June 2021, weighing 7lb 5oz, and life hasn’t been the same since.
“You realise after being told that you may never be able to have children how precious babies truly are.
Hannah Lynch
“I feel extremely blessed to have Billie in my life, and I know my family do too,” Hannah said.
“She is the biggest ray of sunshine and happiness, and she brings me a love that I never thought was possible.
“You realise after being told that you may never be able to have children how precious babies truly are.
“Until someone has sat you down and had that chat, you could never explain how you then feel when your baby is real and is placed in your arms.
“She’s like nothing I ever imagined, and I even now look at her and I can’t believe she’s mine.”
Hannah was diagnosed with HER2 positive breast cancer in 2019, aged 25, after discovering a lump in her left breast while in the shower.
Although not initially concerned, she visited her GP, who thought it could be hormonal because she was relatively young.
But after insisting on a scan, she received the devastating diagnosis.
Hannah had surgery to remove an 3.15in (8cm) tumour, followed by a course of chemotherapy, radiotherapy and targeted therapy at The Christie Hospital.
During this time, she was treated with four drugs, including docetaxel and carboplatin, both of which Cancer Research UK scientists helped to develop.
Hannah was then referred to Wythenshawe Hospital for a mastectomy and reconstructive surgery.
She also opted for a risk reduction mastectomy and reconstruction on her healthy right breast.
Now in remission, Hannah has annual check-ups to ensure the cancer hasn’t returned.
The trauma has left her suffering with PTSD, and she still gets scared when she goes to the hospital.
“The way the room smells brings all the painful memories flooding back,” she said.
“But I am better at talking about it all now and I want to spread awareness about early detection.”
Hannah said she owes her life to research, which is why she is taking part in Cancer Research UK’s Race for Life event at Heaton Park in Prestwich on July 2.
This year marks the 5km run’s 30th year – as well as Hannah’s 30th birthday.
“Now I’m out the other side, I couldn’t wait to sign up and I’m really looking forward to it,” she said.
“I’m proud to Race for Life. We all have a reason to Race for Life and for me it will be for myself, but also for my daughter, for her future, so that treatments and awareness keep improving.”
Hannah added: “It’s thanks to advances in research and treatments that I’m still here and enjoying my life.
“I love visiting new places and getting dolled up and going out with my family and friends.
“So many plans were spoiled due to my diagnosis and I’m determined to make up for it now.
“People must seek help if something isn’t right, you know your own body.
“I am a cancer survivor because I just knew, even though I tried to come up with simple explanations for my lump, I had to get properly checked out.
“I’m excited to Race for Life and to play my part to fund research which I hope will also help beat cancer for Billie’s generation and future generations to come.”
BREAST cancer is the most common cancer in the UK, accounting for 15 per cent of all new cancer cases.
There are around 55,900 new cases every year – that’s more than 150 every day.
Annually, about 11,500 people die from the disease.
But survival rates are increasing, with three quarters of people living for 10 or more years post-diagnosis.
The first symptom of breast cancer most people notice is a lump in their breast or some thickening.
The most common signs include:
Treatment depends on several factors, such as where the cancer is, how big it is and how early it was caught.
Source: Cancer Research UK
