After years of seeking screenings, a mother was informed she had breast cancer after being denied tests due to her age and later finding a lump. Chantelle Van Der Watt had been requesting screenings since relocating from South Africa to the UK in 2020, having previously undergone annual mammograms due to a family history of cancer. At the age of 34, she did not qualify for the NHS breast screening program, which typically starts at age 50.
Despite advocating for screenings with medical professionals and a breast clinic at Milton Keynes University Hospital, Chantelle was only granted the opportunity for screenings to begin at age 40. Unfortunately, before reaching that age milestone, she began feeling unwell and discovered a lump in her right breast at 39.
Chantelle’s grandmothers both succumbed to breast cancer, yet doctors dismissed her concerns when she found a pea-sized lump in January 2025. By February 2025, she received a breast cancer diagnosis, with further devastating news in April 2025 that the cancer had spread to her bones, giving her a prognosis of just five years.
In response to her situation, the mother has initiated a fundraiser to secure a home deposit, aiming to transition her family from rental properties to a permanent residence. Expressing her distress, she stated, “I turned 39 and two months later I was diagnosed with breast cancer. It’s been horrific. I think of my kids, will I ever get to see them get married? They give you a time frame and you think ‘will I get to see them go to prom?’, it’s all these little things. That’s why I made the GoFundMe page.”
Chantelle’s story showcases the importance of early detection and highlights the challenges faced by individuals who fall outside standard screening age criteria. Despite the difficult circumstances, she remains determined to provide a stable home for her family amidst her health battle.
