Told 'it’s nothing' by doctors, pregnant woman discovers aggressive breast cancer; Her shocking treatment journey while carrying a baby

Breast cancer remains the most common cancer among women, yet it is often diagnosed at advanced stages. According to the World Health Organization, 2.3 million women were diagnosed with breast cancer in 2022, resulting in 670,000 deaths worldwide.

One woman, 35-year-old Australian Reshu Basnyat, is now raising awareness about why no symptom should ever be ignored. In early 2023, Basnyat discovered a lump deep inside her breast. Initially, she wasn’t alarmed. “I thought it was a hormonal change from the miscarriage, that was the only thing that was in my mind,” she told 9Honey.

Basnyat, who had experienced an early miscarriage at the age of 33, assumed the lump was related to hormonal fluctuations. She had previously had a benign lump removed in 2011 and had a family history of breast cancer. Despite this, her GP reassured her that she did not need regular mammograms, saying, “You're so healthy and young, you don't have to do that.” In Australia, women over 40 are eligible for free screening mammograms, with those aged 50 to 74 recommended to undergo screening every two years.


However, when Basnyat became pregnant again and noticed the lump had not gone away, concern set in. A specialist performed a biopsy “just for peace of mind,” but predicted it was likely nothing serious. When the results came back, the news was devastating: Basnyat had been diagnosed with triple-positive aggressive breast cancer, and it had spread to her lymph nodes.

“All I could think was, I want this baby. I can't lose this one,” Basnyat recalled. Despite the shock, she immediately began treatment, determined to protect both herself and her unborn child. She underwent surgery to remove the lump, followed by chemotherapy, all while closely monitoring the pregnancy.

The journey was terrifying. “I would always say, 'Will this harm my baby? Will I lose the pregnancy? I want this baby. You need to make sure you're going to protect him.’ It was very traumatic, it was very painful, it was very confusing. I don't know how I did it,” Basnyat said. Weeks before giving birth, her chemotherapy was paused, and her child spent time under observation in the NICU.

The birth of her baby brought renewed courage and determination. Basnyat completed an intensive treatment regimen, including 14 rounds of chemotherapy, 17 rounds of targeted therapy, and 15 rounds of radiation. She is currently on maintenance treatment, and though there is no evidence of cancer at present, she emphasises, “I'm not cancer-free yet.”

Basnyat’s story is a powerful reminder for women to pay attention to any unusual symptoms and to advocate for their own health. Her experience highlights the importance of early detection, timely medical consultation, and resilience in the face of life-threatening illness.

Inputs from TOI