'Cancer treatment changed my mum's life'

A woman from Brough whose mum is living with terminal cancer has spoken of the emotional journey her family has gone through.

Clare Brown was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2015 and underwent treatment. Five years later, after thinking she was cancer free, she was diagnosed with another incurable form of the disease.

Ms Brown's daughter, Megan Johnson, 29, said a drug treatment called Phesgo had changed her mum's life and allowed her to spend time with her grandchildren.

The family has encouraged people to take part in Cancer Research UK's Race for Life, which takes place in Hull on 27 July, to help raise money for the charity.

Ms Johnson, who will be taking part in her sixth Race for Life, said her mum went to see her GP in March 2015 after noticing changes in her breast.

She said: "I knew there was something wrong when she finished seeing the doctor. I could tell she'd been crying and her lip wobbled.

"She was sent to the hospital for a same day referral, and it was later confirmed she had stage 3 breast cancer."

Ms Brown completed six rounds of chemotherapy, 15 rounds of radiotherapy and a mastectomy before she began a five-year course of hormone therapy. She thought she was cancer free following the treatment.

"We celebrated her being discharged at the same time as me telling her I was pregnant with her first grandchild. It was such a special moment", said Ms Johnson.

After suffering a frozen shoulder while visiting her newborn grandson, a scan revealed tumours in Ms Brown's bones and she was diagnosed with incurable secondary metastatic breast cancer.

The family then went on holiday to Ireland - Ms Brown's birthplace - not knowing "if this would be our last trip together," Ms Johnson said.

"Whilst there I found out I was pregnant with my second child and it was joyful and heartbreaking at the same time. We didn't know if mum would be around to meet her."

Ms Brown was given Phesgo, a combination of two drugs that stop cells from growing, after doctors stopped her intensive chemotherapy because it was ineffective, her daughter said.

"She is now four years into a terminal prognosis and is doing really well," said Ms Johnson.

"Time with mum is likely to be shorter, but she's here now and is able to spend time with her grandchildren."

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