Australian mum makes cancer discovery after dismissing common symptom

A young mother of five diagnosed with grade three gestational breast cancer initially thought the lumps in her breast were caused by a common breastfeeding condition.

Jacqueline Russell, 32, visited her doctor for a routine blood test in September when she noticed two lumps in her breast.

Ms Russell initially thought the lumps were due to mastitis, an infection of breast tissue that often occurs in the first three months of breastfeeding.

Mastitis can be caused by blocked milk ducts or by bacteria entering the breast, and Mrs Russell was still breastfeeding her 10-month-old son when she noticed the lumps.

However, after an ultrasound and several biopsies, doctors determined that Mrs. Russell had grade three gestational breast cancer.

Gestational breast cancer is a type of cancer that is specific to young mothers and occurs during pregnancy or while breastfeeding.

Her brother Michael told Daily Mail Australia the diagnosis was a huge shock to the family.

He explained that his sister was stunned to learn she was diagnosed with cancer while breastfeeding, despite having had four other “perfectly smooth” pregnancies.

“She was quite scared waiting for the results and then she was quite scared and worried about what her next steps would be,” Michael said.

The mother-of-five was soon shocked to learn she had grade three gestational breast cancer, despite never developing the disease during her other four pregnancies.

A GoFundMe has been started to help Jacqueline and her family as she undergoes her extensive treatment (photo, Jacqueline during her first round of chemotherapy)

‘When they told her what it was about (gestational breast cancer), she just couldn’t believe it.

“The whole time she had five children and it all happened during the fifth time she was pregnant and breastfeeding.”

Michael said the diagnosis was initially “overwhelming” for his sister as she was unsure how she would approach treatment while raising five children and completing her psychology degree at university.

Jacqueline and her husband Brad do their best to maintain a normal routine for their five children, who range in age from 13 years to 10 months.

On October 14, the devoted mother was forced to stop breastfeeding her 10-month-old son as she began her first round of chemotherapy.

Jacqueline’s comprehensive treatment plan includes 16 weeks of chemotherapy, surgery, radiation and hormone blockers, which are used to prevent her body from producing the hormones that cause the cancer.

Michael said his sister’s husband, who is a firefighter, has taken on a second job as a plasterer to help cover medical bills and daily living expenses.

“I know some things are subsidized, but obviously not most of it, and there are mouths to feed,” Michael said.

‘They try to combine life well, with treatment, work and five children. Obviously with interest rates and all that, there isn’t enough money to feed five kids and pay the mortgage and all the other bills.

‘He [the baby] is not the best sleeper, and then also has to take the kids to school, and because there are two swimming classes and there is also football, basketball and gymnastics, there is a lot to do, even without having had cancer treatment.’

Michael’s wife, Amelia, started one GoFundMe campaign to raise money for the family.

“I set this up as a lifeline for when they have to pay for medical bills, childcare, groceries, cleaners and everything else Jacqui normally does for her family,” Amelia wrote.

Michael said his sister and her husband have received incredible support from their family and the wider Newcastle community.

“It was really nice to see the community rally behind Jackie and rally behind such a sweet, young and small family during these times,” Michael said.

The 32-year-old (pictured with her husband Brad and their son) has received huge support from family and the wider Newcastle community and hopes to raise awareness of gestational breast cancer

Michael added that his sister’s main goal is to get healthy for her family and raise awareness about gestational breast cancer, especially among younger women.

“She loves her children and has always put them first. She is very passionate about her family and raising awareness of gestational breast cancer,” Michael said.

“She’s taken quite a big initiative to raise awareness … how to get it checked, how to actually get it out and what the consequences are.”