Woman's breast cancer dismissed as anxiety before diagnosis

A Welsh woman was told by a locum GP that a breast lump was likely due to "medical anxiety" or postnatal depression, but she was later diagnosed with lobular breast cancer that had spread to three lymph nodes. Beth Jenkins, 42, from Merthyr Tydfil, was initially dismissed as "too young" for the disease. Jenkins first noticed a small lump in 2018, but an ultrasound suggested it was glandular tissue. After her daughter kicked her chest in 2024, the lump grew significantly, prompting her GP visit where she was prescribed antibiotics. A second GP advised an urgent referral, leading to her diagnosis on 14 November 2024. She underwent a mastectomy, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy, and suffered neutropenic sepsis. Jenkins is now classed as having no evidence of disease but will be monitored for 15 years. Cancer Research Wales notes about 100-115 cases occur in women under 40 annually in Wales, and NICE guidelines state younger patients with unexplained lumps should be referred. Jenkins has created a charity event, Breast Fest, to raise funds for Merthyr Cancer Aid.