A YOUNG Scots mum has been diagnosed with an extremely rare form of cancer after experiencing shooting pains in her groin.
Stephanie Thomson started experiencing the pains back in June and later went on to find a small lump at the top of her right inner thigh.
The 33-year-old hairdresser from Elderslie, Renfrewshire, went to her doctors and was told she would need to wait nine weeks for the results for an ultrasound.
She was later referred for a biopsy which revealed the mum-of-one had extra skeletal renal rhabdoid cancer.
Studies estimate that less than one person for every one million people with cancer has this type of rare tumour.
Stephanie was admitted to Beatson West of Scotland Cancer Centre in Glasgow on Tuesday where she will spend the next 18 weeks undertaking chemotherapy.
Speaking today, she said: “I found a lump back when I was working in June and had a shooting pain.
“I am a bit of a worrier sometimes so I wanted to get it checked and was told I had a three centimetre mass.
“The doctors then diagnosed me with a sarcoma, however they sent me to the Beatson where I got a pet scan.
“It was at this stage I was told that the external pathology showed that the issue in my groin is the lymphnodes and told me it was a secondary site.
“Doctors told me that they have never treated this cancer in an adult in the UK and so they are having to adapt a treatment plan.
“They are adapting treatment which would usually be given to someone with Ewing’s sarcoma.
“It is very invasive, consultants might never see it in their professional career.
“Doctors told me that they have never treated this cancer in an adult in the UK, they said consultants might never see this in their entire career. I was told that the odds of getting this cancer are one in thirty million.
“I usually am helping elderly people with their cancer journeys when they come into the hairdressers and I might be shaving their head or getting them a wig.
“I actually said to the doctors I’ve never missed the Scottish Hair and Beauty Awards and I want to go this year even if I’m in a wheelchair.
“I’m just thankful that I am a bit of a worrier and got the lump checked, god forbid if I had an office job I might not have even got it checked as I wouldn’t have had the same pains.
“It is scary as you can get this tumour anywhere you have soft tissue so I would say any wee lump just go and get it checked.”
Stephanie’s friend Nicola Kerr also set up a GoFundMe this week to help the brave mum focus on her health instead of bills.
The page has so far gained over £1,600 in less than 48 hours.
Stephanie has a 16-year-old son, Logan, but has been told she will be unable to have any more children naturally due to surgery that she will have to undertake after chemotherapy.
She added: “I’m so blown away by all of the donations, my door hasn’t stopped going with the postman, I’ve been getting cards and gift sets and flowers.
“I’m fighting for life but also fighting to pay bills and this money helps.
“I think you expect maybe a wee fiver or something but I was so overwhelmed when I clicked on the link to think people are doing this for you.
“It is a long road ahead but I’ll stay positive and I will raise awareness about this cancer.”
To donate, please visit: https://gofund.me/3fe583fa
