I'm battling aggressive cancer at just 30 after my GP told me common sign was ‘normal in young people'
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A TEACHER told it was normal for "young people have lumpy boobs" was later diagnosed with aggressive cancer.
Beth Ferguson, 30, was told it was "highly unlikely" she had the disease after she noticed a lump in her left breast.
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Beth Ferguson, a physics and maths teacher, from Glasgow, who was diagnosed with an aggressive form of breast cancer
Credit: SWNS
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The diagnosis came as a shock to the teacher, who was the healthiest she'd ever been
Credit: SWNS
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Beth in hospital during treatement for breast cancer
Credit: SWNS
Beth felt the small growth in October 2022 while in the shower.
However, her GP wasn't concerned because the lump was smooth and mobile - which can mean it's a cyst or benign lump.
They referred Beth to the local breast clinic anyway, but when she arrived, she was told it was "nothing to worry about" as "younger people have lumpy boobs".
Ten months on from her GP visit, Beth noticed the lump was growing.
She said: "It started off small, it gradually got bigger and never really went away.
"I have no family history of breast cancer, so I thought it was unlikely to be anything serious."
The teacher went back to her surgery, and was referred to Gartnavel Hospital, Glasgow.
A few days after an ultrasound and biopsy, she was diagnosed with a triple negative tumour.
After 16 rounds of chemotherapy, a breast reconstruction and immunotherapy she was given the all clear in May 2024.
Beth, a physics and maths teacher, from Glasgow, said: "After noticing the lump, I went to my doctor, who said I was fine.
Jessie J breaks down in tears in heartbreaking hospital video as she has surgery after breast cancer diagnosis
"They referred me to the local breast clinic, and the consultant said it was a cyst and there was nothing to worry about.
"They said I was young, and younger people have lumpy boobs.
"After that, I wasn't worried; they said if anything changes, or it gets bigger, to come back."
The breast clinic consultant said it was most likely to be a cyst, and nothing to worry about as "younger people have lumpy boobs".
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Beth was simply told 'young people have lumpy boobs' when she noticed a small lump on her left breast
Credit: SWNS
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Beth Ferguson with partner Callum
Credit: SWNS
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The teacher said she felt 'numb' after her diagnosis
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Beth said: "At that point, I wasn't worried; it put my mind at ease.
"The consultant wasn't concerned, as it was small and I was so young, but suggested I return if there were any changes.
"Life went on - I was training for and completed the Boston Marathon and got engaged to my partner in New York."
In August 2023, just before the new school year started, Beth went back to medics and was told she had a large, aggressive triple negative tumour.
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Beth said: "Looking back, I was a bit numb to be honest, you almost don't believe it because I felt so healthy and fit.
"It was the healthiest I have ever been, it was such a strange feeling to be so well but have such a terrible illness."
Beth decided to freeze her eggs as she was going to be put on "induced menopause" to protect her ovaries during treatment.
In October 2023, Beth started chemotherapy - which ended in March 2024 - and immunotherapy was completed in November 2024.
Beth said: "I largely coped well with the side effects and stayed very active between treatments.
"I continued my marathon training, I went to the gym, and I was still working for the first few months.
"One of the worst side effects was that I was put on induced menopause.
"They shut down my ovaries to protect them - I went into menopause overnight."
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Beth froze her eggs before going through induced menopause due to her treatment
Credit: SWNS
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Beth was given the all clear in May 2024
Credit: SWNS
'Struggle with aftereffects'
In April 2024, Beth underwent reconstruction surgery on her left breast.
She said getting the all clear was "a strange feeling".
"I don't think it is what I imagined," she said.
"I have struggled with the aftereffects of how to move on with my life.
"Although it was great news, and everyone around me was happy - it was the start of anxiety for me."
Beth is now supporting new research funded by Breast Cancer Now and Secondary1st, which is hoping to develop a more targeted treatment for people with triple negative breast cancer.
What are the signs of breast cancer?
BREAST cancer is the most common type of cancer in the UK.
The majority of women who get it are over 50, but younger women and, in rare cases, men can also get breast cancer.
If it's treated early enough, breast cancer can be prevented from spreading to other parts of the body.
Breast cancer can have a number of symptoms, but the first noticeable symptom is usually a lump or area of thickened breast tissue.
Most breast lumps aren't cancerous, but it's always best to have them checked by your doctor. You should also speak to your GP if you notice any of the following: a change in the size or shape of one or both breasts
discharge from either of your nipples (which may be streaked with blood)
a lump or swelling in either of your armpits
dimpling on the skin of your breasts
a rash on or around your nipple
a change in the appearance of your nipple, such as becoming sunken into your breast
Source: NHS
Professor Seth Coffelt at the University of Glasgow has been awarded £399,670 to fund research that will help further understanding of a type of immune cell that can kill triple negative breast cancer cells and stop them spreading.
Triple negative breast cancer is also more likely than most other breast cancers to return or spread within five years following diagnosis.
Beth said: "I appreciate that the research is being funded at the Beatson Institute "It was the team in Glasgow which treated me and cared for me, with everything I have been through.
"Everyone in the NHS and the Beatson was amazing - I received really great care there.
"It's so important that we have more research into triple negative breast cancer, it's what keeps me going every day - the hope that researchers will find other targeted therapies in time for people like me."
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Beth is now supporting new research to develop a more targeted treatment for people with triple negative breast cancer
Credit: SWNS
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