A heartbreaking decision
Azzurra Carnelos, a 33-year-old pregnant woman, chose not to undergo chemotherapy to protect her unborn child's life when her breast cancer returned.
Discovering the cancer
In 2019, Azzurra first found out about her breast cancer and underwent treatment that put her cancer into remission.
Against medical advice
Despite being advised by her doctor to start chemotherapy, Azzurra decided to carry her baby to term.
A tragic outcome
Azzurra welcomed her son, Antonio, in August 2023, but sadly passed away eight months later.
Rare but challenging
Cancer during pregnancy is uncommon, with statistics suggesting around one in 1,000 cases of breast cancer occurring during pregnancy.
Chemo during pregnancy
Research shows that certain chemotherapy drugs after 14 weeks of pregnancy do not harm the baby, with longer follow-ups recommended to monitor the child's progress.
