Woman told 'nothing can be done' as back pain prompts deadly diagnosis

07 December 2023 , 11:38

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Becca Smith, 31, from Chester, was diagnosed with non-small cell lung cancer in 2020 (Image: Becca Smith)

A woman went to her doctor with "excruciating" back pain before being told "nothing could be done" and she even said goodbye to friends and family - but then got a second chance at life.

Becca Smith, a personal trainer from Chester, was left in shock after she initially thought she had a slipped disc, but was diagnosed with non-small cell lung cancer after several tests. The 31-year-old said: "I live an active, healthy lifestyle - I've never smoked. So I assumed I'd injured myself training and thought I perhaps had a slipped disc."

"My world collapsed when I was told it was cancer and it had spread around my body, including to my brain. The doctors said nothing could be done." As her health worsened, Becca was sent home from the hospital to spend what her family believed would be her last few weeks.

She said: "I have a group of really good friends, along with my sisters, Mum, Dad and close family. Everyone spent time around my bedside, saying goodbye. I have vague memories of people singing to me and telling me stories, wearing masks and not getting too close because it was during COVID. My sister researched some amazing nutritionist for me and spent hours making me juices. But then my mum received a phone call from the hospital with the results of the biopsy which would change everything."

The biopsy results revealed that Becca had tested positive for anaplastic lymphoma kinase or ALK. This type of lung cancer is caused by a gene mutation in cancer cells and is often found in non-smokers or light smokers, usually affecting younger and fitter individuals. Joanne Wilson, a Lung Cancer Clinical Nurse Specialist at The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre, explained: "There are lots of different gene mutations, one of which is ALK. With some gene mutations, we have special medication which can interrupt the growth of the cancer."

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Becca Smith said goodbye to family (Becca Smith)

She is looking now forward to Christmas (Becca Smith)

"These medications block the process that causes the cancer to grow, with the tablets focusing on only the mutation and not healthy cells. These are called targeted therapies. Some people with ALK lung cancer respond very well to targeted therapy, as Becca has. Though not a cure for lung cancer, treatment can often stop people's cancer from growing, and even shrink it."

"Targeted therapies are often a much more effective treatment that standard chemotherapy and patients are at less risk of developing an infection or experiencing side effects."

Three years after her initial diagnosis, Becca is now managing her cancer with daily medication. However, she recently received a setback when scans showed slight progression in the cancer in her brain.

She expressed: "Having had stable scans for so long, receiving news that that there had been changes was like being diagnosed all over again. I changed medication and since then, I've been working with the team at The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre to manage the side effects of my treatment, as well as talking to their psychologist, who's been supporting me since my first diagnosis and I'm in constant touch with their team, who have been a great support to me."

"I've also been given the chance to speak to other patients in my situation, something I've enjoyed and I hope I've been able to help them. I now try and think of my cancer as a long term health condition. With the support of my family and friends, I'm able to manage.I love meeting my friends for coffee and going walking every morning to clear my head. I do yoga, Pilates, eat well and I'm working again, setting up my own gym."

"Christmas this year will be full of laughter, friends and family, as well as my Labradoodle, Ralph. I've got lots to look forward to."

Becca added: "To anyone going through something similar or who has just had a cancer diagnosis, I would say, there is light ahead. I was in a deep, black hole when I was first diagnosed, but thanks to the support of my friends and family, I found a ladder and slowly, I've climbed out. There will be hard days, but climb that ladder and hopefully you'll learn to live with your new normal."

* An AI tool was used to add an extra layer to the editing process for this story. You can report any errors to [email protected]

Abigail Nicholson