Tania Heath was diagnosed with breast cancer in January – but what began as an early-stage case quickly escalated into a complex and life-altering fight
A dedicated mum is embarking on a tough fight against breast cancer after medics discovered her tumour was significantly larger and more aggressive than initially suspected. Tania Heath, a 42-year-old veterinary nurse and mother of three, was diagnosed in January.
What started as an early-stage diagnosis rapidly escalated into a complicated and life-changing battle involving multiple surgeries, a severe infection, and now an urgent course of chemotherapy.
Juggling her cancer battle while caring for her young family, Tania, from Ashford, Kent, has shown immense strength. Her close mate Emma Cooper recalled the moment Tania broke the heart-wrenching news.
“She dropped me a message back in January and said, ‘Bad news, but I’m sure it’ll be fine’,” she sai. “At the time, we thought it would be relatively straightforward – just surgery and maybe some radiotherapy.”
However, by May, it became evident that the tumour was much more aggressive than initially believed. Scans had underestimated its size.
Despite undergoing a lumpectomy and lymph node removal in March, doctors discovered the tumour was grade 3, fast-growing and perilous.
In June, Tania underwent a mastectomy and a complex DIEP flap reconstruction – a major operation using tissue from her stomach to rebuild her breast. The surgery involved removing part of her rib to attach vital blood vessels, leaving her with two large scars and a lengthy recovery ahead.
Just days after returning home, Tania was rushed back to hospital with a serious abdominal infection. She was forced to spend a week in isolation and endure three more operations to tackle the infection and reopen the wound.
Her stomach wound remains open and will need at least eight weeks to heal. She must make regular trips to East Grinstead for specialist dressing changes.
Chemotherapy is due to start in August, once her wound has recovered. While Tania’s lymph nodes were mercifully clear, the grade 3 diagnosis means chemotherapy is vital to minimise the chance of the cancer coming back.
“She’s going to try cold capping to keep her hair, but it’s uncomfortable and doesn’t always work,” Emma said. “If it doesn’t, she’ll need specialist wigs and headwear – especially so she can carry on being a mum and maintain some normality.”
Emma has now launched a GoFundMe page to help relieve the financial burden as Tania receives treatment. The fundraiser will help cover various expenses, including journeys to and from hospitals in London and East Grinstead, specialist recovery equipment, bills, and assistance for her children.
“Tania has always been the one who shows up,” Emma said. “She’s the kind of person who lifts everyone else up, even when she’s struggling. She’s never asked for anything. But now she needs to know she doesn’t have to carry all of this on her own.”
The pair have been friends since Year 7
“Tania’s like family to me,” Emma added. “We’ve been through thick and thin together. Watching her go through this – it’s heartbreaking. She’s still trying to hold everything together for her kids, even as she faces the fight of her life.”
Each donation, Emma explained, makes a real impact: “She’s dealing with so much – surgeries, infection, chemo, motherhood. Your kindness helps her know she’s not alone.”
Tania’s loved ones have also started a petition calling on the government to reduce the routine breast screening age from 50 to 40, helping detect cancer sooner and minimise the need for harsh treatment.
“Tania found her lump by chance. If she’d been screened routinely at 40, things could have been very different,” Emma added. “We need to make sure other women don’t slip through the cracks.”