Breast Cancer Survivor Defies Prognosis and Inspires Others

In 2018, Roisín Pelan received a devastating diagnosis: her breast cancer had returned, and she was given just three years to live. Seven years later, she continues to defy the odds, consistently receiving clear scans and enjoying life with her family. The 43-year-old from Lancashire, England, initially discovered a lump in her breast while pregnant, leading to an early labor and a mastectomy just six days after giving birth to her daughter, Lily, who is now 11 years old.

After undergoing six rounds of chemotherapy, Pelan was declared cancer-free. Unfortunately, in January 2018, she began to experience pain in the area where her breast had been removed and noticed a lump in her neck. “I knew it was back,” she recounted during an interview. Following a diagnosis of stage 3C metastatic breast cancer, Pelan faced a grim prognosis.

Understanding the Diagnosis

Pelan described her situation: “I didn’t have any hope in my heart. I thought it was total darkness from there.” The cancer had returned in multiple lymph nodes, including those under her arm and up to her neck. Although it had not spread to major organs, the cancer’s progression to lymph nodes above the collarbone placed her in an advanced stage, often deemed incurable.

Statistics reveal the gravity of breast cancer in the UK, where approximately 55,000 women are diagnosed each year, according to Macmillan Cancer Support. In the United States, breast cancer remains the most common cancer among women, accounting for around 30 percent of all new female cancer cases, as stated by the American Cancer Society.

Dr. Daniel Landau, a board-certified expert in medical oncology, explained that survival rates quoted by oncologists are based on clinical trial data. He emphasized that these figures are averages and do not account for individual variations, which can significantly influence outcomes. “No one is average,” he noted, highlighting that survival statistics can often underestimate real-world effectiveness due to advancements in treatment.

Fighting for Her Life

Initially, Pelan’s medical team suggested palliative chemotherapy. However, she advocated for surgery to remove the tumor and sought out innovative treatments. “My oncologist got me on every medication possible, and I went every week for 24 weeks for 18 rounds of chemotherapy,” she shared. By September of that year, Pelan received a clear positron emission tomography (PET) scan, and she has maintained her health since.

Pelan’s journey did not stop there. In the following year, she and her husband, Michael Pelan, adopted a baby boy named Bill, who is now six years old. The couple’s decision to adopt stemmed from the understanding that pregnancy can temporarily heighten breast cancer risk but may reduce a woman’s lifetime risk overall. She described Bill as “hilarious and a perfect boy.”

In addition to her personal triumph, Pelan founded Fighting to be Heard, a charity aimed at raising awareness and providing financial support to individuals living with incurable secondary breast cancer. She has also authored a children’s book and actively shares her experiences on social media. Recently, she posted on Instagram about her emotional journey as she witnessed Lily transition from primary school to graduation.

“I take Palbociclib, along with hormone therapy, not because the cancer is active right now, but to help stop any microscopic cells from growing or spreading again,” Pelan explained. Her story serves as a testament to resilience and hope in the face of adversity, inspiring many who battle similar health challenges.