From Newsweek · · 1m 20s
Pregnancy Scan Reveals Stage 4 Cancer
A pregnant woman diagnosed with Stage 4 colon cancer at 31 weeks gestation continues treatment while giving birth.
In brief
A pregnant woman diagnosed with Stage 4 colon cancer at 31 weeks gestation continues treatment while giving birth. A 36-year-old woman diagnosed with Stage 4 colon cancer during pregnancy has completed five years of no evidence of disease after delivering her baby. Originally reported by Newsweek.
Pregnancy Scan Finds Trisomy 13
Amanda Webb, 36, was diagnosed with Stage 4 colon cancer after a prenatal scan suggested her baby might have trisomy 13.
“At that point, it became very real [that] something was going on”
Doctors Investigate Cancer Risk
Webb's melanoma history and false positive screening led doctors to conduct colonoscopy, liver biopsy, and CT scans despite her pregnancy.
“I did a colonoscopy, a liver biopsy, a CT scan despite being pregnant”
Stage 4 Colon Cancer Diagnosis
Webb's oncologist confirmed she had Stage 4 colon cancer, a condition with a 13 percent five-year survival rate according to the American Cancer Society.
“It was my husband's birthday. He was on the phone and came rushing to the hospital to be with me”
Pregnancy Complications
Webb removed pregnancy apps and avoided conversations with other moms after her cancer diagnosis.
“I was going through something different, and I just didn't feel like I could relate anymore”
Chemotherapy During Pregnancy
Webb started chemotherapy the week after her diagnosis, with the first three rounds administered inpatient to monitor her baby.
“I thought, I don't want to be considered a statistic”
Birth and Postpartum Treatment
Webb gave birth to a baby boy named Levi via C-section and resumed chemotherapy after a two-week break.
“I remember a high-risk OB nurse taking me to the garden and just holding me while I scream-cried”
Five Years of NED
Now 41, Webb celebrates five years of no evidence of disease after delivering Levi.
“It's become part of my routine in surveillance”
Here's the gist
A 36-year-old woman diagnosed with Stage 4 colon cancer during pregnancy has completed five years of no evidence of disease after delivering her baby.
