Beth Phelps, 12, was diagnosed after her parents Ben and Aby noticed a ‘protruding lump’
A 12-year-old girl died from a rare form of cancer after her parents noticed an alarming sign while she was brushing her teeth. Beth Phelps, while preparing for bed, had a “protruding lump” on her shoulder that caught the attention of her parents Ben, 48, and Aby, 49, through her T-shirt.
Following tests at Jersey General Hospital, a 7cm tumour in Beth’s left lung was diagnosed as Ewing sarcoma, which is known for its rarity and aggressiveness. Despite going through chemotherapy, surgery and radiotherapy – and initially receiving the all-clear – the disease resurfaced nine months later in her right lung.
Confronted with a harrowing decision, Ben and Aby opted against a clinical trial in favour of palliative care, to ensure Beth could spend her final days comfortably; she died just 12 days shy of her 13th birthday. HR director Ben, from Jersey, has vowed to cycle an epic journey from Land’s End, Cornwall, to John O’Groats, Caithness, Scotland, to raise funds for the Bone Cancer Research Trust (BCRT).
He said: “Our world in the blink of an eye was completely tipped upside down,” adding, “She had no symptoms that stood out. Beth was a healthy little girl.
“But she took all the treatment in her stride, despite being terrified of needles. When we were told her cancer had come back, we were shocked and heartbroken.”
Ewing sarcoma, an unfamiliar term to the family before this ordeal, has sparked a determination in Ben: “We’d never heard of Ewing sarcoma before – that’s why I’m trying to raise as much money as I can, so we can find kinder treatments to help more people survive.
“Beth is my guiding light and inspiration always; this might be a tough physical challenge, but doesn’t compare to anything she endured. We miss Beth every day, and we are determined to make a difference in her name.”
The first sign appeared in December 2020 when they discovered a lump, leading Beth’s GP to refer them to A&E at Jersey General Hospital. There, Beth underwent a CT scan, X-ray and MRI.
Beth started her first of four chemotherapy sessions on Christmas Day 2020.
In May 2021, Beth faced surgery at Stanmore Hospital to remove the tumour and her entire left scapula. Her treatment continued at Southampton General Hospital with three more rounds of chemotherapy, followed by six weeks of radiotherapy at University College London Hospitals.
“This was agonising as a parent to watch,” Ben said. “The nursing and play staff were amazing at helping to keep her calm, but nothing prepares you for some of the procedures that take place in order to give treatment.”
After nine gruelling months, Beth got the all-clear and returned home. However, in June 2022 she began experiencing pain in her right shoulder, which worsened over time.
An X-ray later confirmed the devastating news that the cancer had come back, now in Beth’s right shoulder. On October 3, 2022, Beth passed away.
Ben said: “We had to make a decision whether to put Beth through a clinical trial, which meant more time away in hospitals and the possibility of never seeing home again. We chose palliative care and set out to make her time left as comfortable as possible, giving her the dignity and love that she so truly deserved.
“She took her last breath surrounded by me, Aby, the dog and our cat, Monkey. Beth was funny, quick-witted and beautiful. She is with me forever and especially on this challenge.”
Ben will cycle from Land’s End to John O’Groats from June 22 to July 5.
Louise Everett, senior regional relationship manager at BCRT, said: “This is an incredibly inspiring challenge that Ben is taking on. We’re grateful that people like Ben want to keep raising vital funds and awareness so no other family has to go through what they went through.”