X
theAsianparent Logo
theAsianparent Logo
Product GuideSign in
  • Awards
    • Parents' Choice Awards 2023
  • Pregnancy
    • Due date calculator
    • I'm pregnant
    • Trying To Conceive
    • Labour
    • After birth
    • Baby loss
  • Parenting
    • Parent's Guide
    • Relationship & Sex
  • Child
    • Newborn
    • Baby
    • Toddler
    • Pre-Schooler
    • Kid
    • Pre-Teen & Teen
  • Feeding & Nutrition
    • Diseases-Injuries
    • Breastfeeding & Formula
    • Meal Planner
    • Health
    • Allergies & Conditions
    • Vaccinations
  • Education
    • Pre-School
    • Primary School
    • Secondary School
    • Primary School Directory
  • Lifestyle
    • Money
    • Travel & Leisure
    • Fashion
    • Home
    • Fitness
    • Contests & promotions
  • News
    • International
    • Health
    • Celebrity
    • Singapore
  • TAP Recommends
  • Shopping
  • Press Releases
  • Project Sidekicks
  • Community
  • Advertise With Us
  • Contact Us
  • Become A Contributor
  • VIP

New mum dies after doctors mistook her breast cancer for pregnancy changes

3 min read

Heather Zacek was having the time of her life: she was married to her longtime sweetheart Ryan and they had just given birth to a healthy, beautiful baby girl Kilana.

“Heather was completely devoted to her husband and daughter,” Tina Black, heather’s mother, told BuzzFeed News. “She wanted to only spend her free time with them.”

But less than a year into the new chapter in her life, things began to shift and her euphoria did not last.

Her first summer as a mother, Heather found a lump in her breast. Terrified, she went to the doctors to have it examined.

The doctors, however, dismissed it.

“The doctor told her that it was a clogged milk duct and to go home and take Tylenol,” Tina said.

Heather took the doctor’s advice and took the Tylenol regularly, but by the time fall came she still felt ill, prompting her to visit the doctors once again.

“The doctor still brushed it off and told her, ‘You are young and healthy,’” Tina recalled. “But Heather took the word of her doctor and didn’t push the issue.”

According to the BuzzFeed report, Heather had developed a liver problem by taking too much Tylenol.

This time when she went to the doctors, they found something—stage 4 breast cancer.

It didn’t take much time for her disease to consume her; Heather died soon thereafter.

Common condition

As it turns out, cases such as Heather’s is not at all uncommon, says Dr. Sarah P. Cate of the Mount Sinai Beth Israel Comprehensive Cancer Center.

“We are seeing women younger and younger getting breast cancer.”

Heather’s case is every doctor’s worst nightmare, and doctors shouldn’t rule out the possibility of cancer until proper tests have been made, she also added.

“Pregnancy-associated breast cancers are very aggressive.”

Tina is sharing the story of her daughter so everyone could learn from them.

Doctors Mistook her Breast Cancer for Pregnancy Changes

Heather, Ryan, and Kilana; Photo credit: Tina Black

“My desire is that everyone realise that age and gender mean nothing,” Tina said. “If you find a lump, don’t let your doctor tell you it’s nothing without testing. Don’t put off any medical testing. To think that you have all the time in the world isn’t true.”

Early cancer signs include: lump in the breast—the most common first sign, a lump in the armpit (axilla), changes in breast shape or size, skin and nipple changes.

If you’re experiencing these symptoms, don’t hesitate to have yourself checked out by your doctor.

Partner Stories
Great ideas for gifts for Chinese New Year 2023!
Great ideas for gifts for Chinese New Year 2023!
Learn Tech and Media Skills, Gain Industry Exposure and Build a Portfolio. Here’s How Your Child Can Benefit from an Infocomm or Media CCA!
Learn Tech and Media Skills, Gain Industry Exposure and Build a Portfolio. Here’s How Your Child Can Benefit from an Infocomm or Media CCA!
Korean Stars Take Center Stage at Disney Content Showcase in Singapore
Korean Stars Take Center Stage at Disney Content Showcase in Singapore
Health is Your Greatest Wealth. Learn How Your CPF Savings Can Safeguard Your Healthcare Needs and Provide Peace of Mind
Health is Your Greatest Wealth. Learn How Your CPF Savings Can Safeguard Your Healthcare Needs and Provide Peace of Mind

If you have any insights, questions or comments regarding the topic, please share them in our Comment box below.

Got a parenting concern? Read articles or ask away and get instant answers on our app. Download theAsianparent Community on iOS or Android now!

img
Written by

James Martinez

  • Home
  • /
  • Pregnancy
  • /
  • New mum dies after doctors mistook her breast cancer for pregnancy changes
Share:
  • Singapore mum who had breast cancer during pregnancy now helps cancer patients cope

    Singapore mum who had breast cancer during pregnancy now helps cancer patients cope

  • 10 Strange pregnancy changes you might not have known about

    10 Strange pregnancy changes you might not have known about

  • I Try Tracy Lee's Hack for Egg Tarts and It's So Easy That Even Kids Can Make it

    I Try Tracy Lee's Hack for Egg Tarts and It's So Easy That Even Kids Can Make it

  • Wife Forgives Husband Who Had Two Affairs And Got A Woman Pregnant

    Wife Forgives Husband Who Had Two Affairs And Got A Woman Pregnant

  • Singapore mum who had breast cancer during pregnancy now helps cancer patients cope

    Singapore mum who had breast cancer during pregnancy now helps cancer patients cope

  • 10 Strange pregnancy changes you might not have known about

    10 Strange pregnancy changes you might not have known about

  • I Try Tracy Lee's Hack for Egg Tarts and It's So Easy That Even Kids Can Make it

    I Try Tracy Lee's Hack for Egg Tarts and It's So Easy That Even Kids Can Make it

  • Wife Forgives Husband Who Had Two Affairs And Got A Woman Pregnant

    Wife Forgives Husband Who Had Two Affairs And Got A Woman Pregnant

Get advice on your pregnancy and growing baby. Sign up for our newsletter
  • Pregnancy
    • Baby
    • Education
    • Events
    • Allergies & Conditions
  • Family Occasions
    • Breastfeeding & Formula
    • Child Safety
    • Health
    • Diseases-Injuries
  • Lifestyle
    • Home
    • Money
    • Feeding & Nutrition
    • Diet & Weightloss
  • Normal Delivery
    • Cesarean Delivery
    • Behaviour
    • Secondary School
    • Formula Feeding
  • Ages & Stages
    • Latching & Concerns
    • Festivals & Holidays
    • Education
    • Pre-teen & Teen
  • More
    • TAP Community
    • Advertise With Us
    • Contact Us
    • Become a Contributor


  • Singapore flag Singapore
  • Thailand flag Thailand
  • Indonesia flag Indonesia
  • Philippines flag Philippines
  • Malaysia flag Malaysia
  • Sri-Lanka flag Sri Lanka
  • India flag India
  • Vietnam flag Vietnam
  • Australia flag Australia
  • Japan flag Japan
  • Nigeria flag Nigeria
  • Kenya flag Kenya
© Copyright theAsianparent 2023. All rights reserved
About Us|Team|Privacy Policy|Terms of Use |Sitemap HTML
  • Tools
  • Articles
  • Feed
  • Poll

We use cookies to ensure you get the best experience. Learn MoreOk, Got it

We use cookies to ensure you get the best experience. Learn MoreOk, Got it

theAsianparent heart icon
We’d like to send you notifications for the latest news and lifestyle updates.