Hannah Grinsted, 25, who is due to marry in August, was diagnosed with breast cancer at 21 and has now been diagnosed with a second bout of the disease
Hannah is now urging people to trust their “gut feeling” when they think there’s something seriously wrong with them, and not take no for an answer (
Credit: DEVON LIVE/BPM MEDIA)
A brave 25-year-old Exmouth woman is currently battling cancer for the second time in her short life, having battled to be diagnosed both times.
Hannah Grinsted, who is due to marry in August, was diagnosed with breast cancer shortly after her 21st birthday.
She claims she was repeatedly turned away by her GP over a five-month period, believing a lump in her armpit was caused by something other than cancer.
After treatment, she began her new life hoping that she had beaten her cancer, but tragically it returned two years ago, reports DevonLive.
She has now been told her cancer is incurable but treatments are available to prolong her life as much as possible with the hope that new studies are always around the corner.
Hannah is now urging people to trust their “gut feeling” when they think there’s something seriously wrong with them, and not take no for an answer.
Hannah, who previously worked for Avis Car Hire, recalls: “I went to the doctor five or six times and was always told it was a blocked gland or something to do with the deodorant I was using. or it has something to do with my age, puberty.
Hannah Grinsted, who is due to marry in August, was diagnosed with breast cancer when she was just 21
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“I didn’t necessarily feel bad, but I was in a lot of pain and I always thought pain didn’t mean cancer, but that’s not the case. I also suffered from back and front pain.
“Eventually I was referred to RD&E and a scan showed I had three tumors in my breast and eight of my 11 lymph nodes had cancer in them so it was quite a lot.
“My first thought was that I was going to die. My mother was with me and she had an expression on her face that I had never seen before. She was obviously very supportive and has been with me throughout my cancer journey.
“My whole world turned upside down at that moment and I had a panic attack.”
Before Hannah started chemotherapy and radiation therapy in 2018, due to her young age, she was offered fertility treatment to preserve some of her eggs if the treatment prevented her from having children.
Unfortunately, due to the severity of her cancer, Hannah was only able to receive fertility treatment for a 10-day period, meaning only four of her eggs could be stored, greatly reducing her chances of becoming a mother.
Hannah has now been told her cancer is incurable but treatments are available to prolong her life as much as possible
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DEVON LIVE/BPM MEDIA)
Hannah started intravenous chemotherapy once a week for 18 weeks
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DEVON LIVE/BPM MEDIA)
She also underwent a mastectomy and reconstruction surgery, and her lymph nodes were removed.
Hannah was later told she was in remission but says she never received a definitive scan to confirm the diagnosis.
“I was assumed to be cancer free, so I shared the good news on Facebook,” she said. “I hadn’t told anyone before then that I had cancer.”
However, about six months later, while on a girls’ holiday in Ibiza, Hannah developed serious problems with one of her legs. Suddenly she couldn’t walk or put any weight on it and kept falling over.
On her return, she went to her GP and said she was concerned the cancer had returned but said she was reassured that it had not and was sent home.
After her leg showed no signs of improvement, she was eventually referred back to the hospital.
On Christmas Eve 2020, her worst fears were confirmed when she received a phone call telling her the cancer was back, and this time in her thigh.
Hannah recalls, “I was alone on the late shift when I got the call. When cancer gets to the bones, it’s incurable.
“I had a metal bar down the middle of my femur because my bones are very brittle now. I also had radiation therapy and oral chemotherapy for about 16 months.
“The cancer stayed in my bone for about 18 months, which was pretty good, but it was confirmed to have moved to my liver about three months ago.
“Now unfortunately it has also migrated to my lungs and the lower part of my pelvis.”
Hannah Grinsted is set to marry her partner of three years, Charlie, in August
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DEVON LIVE/BPM MEDIA)
This means that Hannah started intravenous chemotherapy once a week for 18 weeks. This week she got her fifth fight and has lost her hair again.
To lift her spirits ahead of her upcoming wedding anniversary in August, Hannah’s cousin Sammi Williams has started an online fundraiser called Help Hannah Fight Cancer.
So far it has already raised more than £7,000 off its £10,000 goal.
The fundraiser is being used to make Hannah’s big day the best it can be for her and her partner of almost three years, Charlie Cox, 3, – and it’s also funding a luxurious handmade wig to help Hannah feel more confident.
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