A mum-of-two who says she was told the lump on her breast was a result of her re-starting breastfeeding and was nothing to worry about now has just months to live.
Faye Downing was refused a biopsy and a mammogram during the pandemic, and says she was told the issue was “not fibrocystic”.
She has since been diagnosed with an incurable cancer, after it spread to her brain and other parts of her body.
The 29-year-old, from Sheffield, Yorkshire, was told she was “too young” for the treatment she requested after her GP referred her to the NHS Breast Clinic.
But Faye’s heartbroken family have told YorkshireLive report that the lump only got bigger – and she later received the harrowing diagnosis after her condition continued to deteriorate.
The mum says she had been turned away from the clinic and told the changes in her breast were normal and were as a result of “breastfeeding a newborn baby”.
But after her condition worsened, she eventually secured the biopsy and mammogram – and Faye’s worst fears were confirmed.
She was forced to deal with the news and pain alone, with no family allowed in with her as Covid-19 raged.
Faye, who has two children, Freddie who is five-years-old and Marnie, who is two-years-old underwent several rounds of chemotherapy without success.
Her sister Hannah Turner, 36, and father Clive Downing, 60, writing on behalf of Faye’s family said: “As if our girl hadn’t been through enough she was then told from her check-up scans that the cancer had spread to other parts of the body she continues to fight so hard and be so brave for her children.
“She’s gone through countless rounds of chemotherapy of all different kinds but it keeps failing on her.
“We are incredibly proud of Faye. She’s been amazing through all of this never moaned once and just carries on as normal. She is bossing this awful disease.”
Unfortunately, doctors have since told Faye that her cancer is terminal and that “this will be her last Christmas with her kids”.
Her family said: “Just days ago at her hospital appointment she was told heartbreaking news by her consultant this would be her last Christmas with her children.”
But resilient Faye is not giving up on life yet.
She is now on a mission to make sure others beat the disease and ensure nobody has to die because of a missed diagnosis again.
Faye’s family said: “One of Faye’s wishes is to also to do something to make people aware to check their bodies regularly and get every lump checked out even if it means getting second opinions.
“Faye wants to raise awareness for people not to ignore any kind of lump no matter how young you are as this could save lives.”
Faye’s family have since set-up a GoFundMe page to allow Faye the opportunity to make as many memories as she can in the time that remains, as well as raise awareness. The fund has since raised more than £7,000