A young mother of five who was diagnosed with grade three gestational breast cancer initially thought the lumps in her breast were caused by a common breastfeeding condition.
Jacqueline Russell, 32, was visiting her doctor for a routine blood test in September when she noticed two lumps in her breast.
Russell initially believed the lumps were due to mastitis, an infection of the breast tissue that often occurs in the first three months of breastfeeding.
Mastitis can be caused by blocked milk ducts or bacteria entering the breast, and Ms Russell was still breastfeeding her 10-month-old son when she noticed the lumps.
However, after an ultrasound and several biopsies, doctors diagnosed Ms Russell with grade three gestational breast cancer.
Gestational breast cancer is a type of cancer specific to young mothers that develops during pregnancy or breastfeeding.
His brother, Michael, told Daily Mail Australia the diagnosis came as a huge shock to the family.
She explained that her sister was bewildered to learn that she developed cancer while breastfeeding despite having had four other “perfectly problem-free” pregnancies.
“She was pretty scared waiting for the results and then she was pretty scared and anxious about what her next steps were going to be,” Michael said.
Jacqueline Russell (pictured with her 10-month-old son) initially thought the lumps in her breast were caused by mastitis, an infection caused by blocked milk ducts, which is common in breastfeeding mothers.
The mother-of-five was soon shocked to learn she had grade three gestational breast cancer despite never having developed the disease during her four other pregnancies.
A GoFundMe has been started to help Jacqueline and her family as she undergoes her extensive treatment (pictured, Jacqueline during her first round of chemotherapy).
‘When they told him what it was (gestational breast cancer) he just couldn’t believe it.
“All this time she has had five children and everything happened from pregnancy and breastfeeding the fifth time.”
Michael said the diagnosis was initially “overwhelming” for his sister, as she was unsure how she would handle the treatment while raising five children and finishing her psychology degree at university.
Jacqueline and her husband Brad are doing their best to maintain a normal routine for their five children, who range in age from 13 years to 10 months.
On October 14, the devoted mother was forced to stop breastfeeding her 10-month-old son as she began her first round of chemotherapy.
Jacqueline’s extensive treatment plan includes 16 weeks of chemotherapy, surgery, radiation and hormone blockers, which are used to stop her body from producing the hormones that create cancer.
Michael said his sister’s husband, who is a firefighter, took a second job as a plasterer to help cover medical bills and daily living expenses.
“I know some things are subsidized, but obviously not most of it and there are a lot of mouths to feed too,” Michael said.
“They’re trying to juggle life, with treatment, work and five kids. Obviously, with interest rates and things like that, there’s not enough money to feed five kids and pay the mortgage and all the other bills as well.
“He (the baby) doesn’t sleep very well, plus he has to take the kids to school, and since two of them swim and there’s also soccer, basketball and gymnastics, it’s a lot to handle even without going through anti-inflammatory treatment.” cancer.” ‘
Michael’s wife, Amelia, started a GoFundMe Campaign to help raise money for the family.
“I’ve set this up to be a lifesaver when they need to pay for medical expenses, childcare, groceries, cleaning, and everything Jacqui normally does for her family,” Amelia wrote.
Michael said his sister and her husband have received incredible support from their family, as well as the wider Newcastle community.
“It’s been really nice to see the community get behind Jackie and support such a lovely young, small family during these times,” Michael said.
The 32-year-old (pictured with husband Brad and son) has received immense support from her family and the wider Newcastle community and hopes to raise awareness of gestational breast cancer.
Michael added that his sister’s main goal is to keep her family healthy and raise awareness about gestational breast cancer, especially in younger women.
“She loves her children and has always put them first and is passionate about her family and raising awareness about gestational breast cancer,” Michael said.
“He’s taken a pretty big initiative to raise awareness… how to control it, how to get it out and its impacts.”
