Hazel Martin was five months pregnant when she discovered a lump in her breast in March 2024. Initially dismissed as a potential cyst, the lump was diagnosed as stage one triple-negative breast cancer after an ultrasound and biopsy in July 2024.
The diagnosis came just two days after a routine 20-week pregnancy scan, which had shown her baby was healthy. Martin described the news as a profound shock, leading to a period filled with hospital appointments, surgery, and chemotherapy.
Treatment During Pregnancy
Due to her pregnancy, doctors could not perform an MRI to check for the spread of the cancer. However, a biopsy of her lymph nodes confirmed that the cancer had not spread beyond the initial stage one diagnosis. Martin underwent surgery to remove the lump and affected lymph nodes. She then proceeded with three rounds of chemotherapy that were deemed safe for pregnancy.
Martin recalled the fear of undergoing chemotherapy while pregnant, but found reassurance in her father's past advice to trust the medical plan. She emphasized the rigorous checks undertaken by her medical team to ensure the safety of all medications. The side effects of chemotherapy, including hair loss and fatigue, were challenging, but Martin found strength in her baby's movements.
Her treatment plan was adjusted when the steroids she was taking for chemotherapy led to gestational diabetes. The final round of chemotherapy was postponed to allow her body to prepare for the baby's arrival. Martin's daughter, Leia, was born three weeks early on November 24, 2024.
Postpartum Treatment and Recovery
After a six-week recovery period, Martin resumed chemotherapy in January 2025, undergoing further treatment with Taxol every two weeks. She found it difficult to leave her newborn for treatment sessions but focused on the end goal of being healthy for her daughter. She credited her nurse's advice, "what was best for me was also best for the baby," to help her through this phase.
In April, Martin underwent another surgery to ensure clear margins and completed 30 rounds of radiation therapy. She highlighted the advancements in breast cancer research and treatment that made it possible for her to receive chemotherapy while pregnant, a development she believes saved both her and her baby.
Awareness and Fundraising
Martin is now advocating for breast cancer awareness and is participating in the Breast Cancer Ireland Very Big Pink Run events held between August 29 and September 6 in Dublin, Kilkenny, and Cork. She encourages women to be vigilant about checking their breasts and to seek medical attention for any changes, noting that some women mistake breast cancer symptoms for blocked milk ducts after giving birth.
Breast Cancer Ireland aims to fund research and innovation for aggressive breast cancers, clinical advancements, education and early detection programs, and talent development within oncology. The organization emphasizes that every contribution helps accelerate breakthroughs and improve patient outcomes.
Martin plans to walk with her daughter Leia in a stroller at the event, underscoring the importance of research and awareness for survivors and those currently battling the disease.