Warning of mother’s vision test after discovering that she had cancer during pregnancy during a visit by an optician

Port Talbot’s mother advises people to have regular eye scans after being told that she has a rare form of cancer on a regular vision test at 6 months of gestation.

Aimee Hill, 33, said a “freckle” was found behind her left eye during a regular optician checkup in November 2020.After undergoing additional tests, she was immediately referred to the hospital and further scans revealed that she had melanoma of the eye. It is an eye cancer that occurs in about 750 people each year in the United Kingdom.

Amy then faced the decision to start treatment immediately or wait for the fetus to give birth.“Obviously, it was a traumatic and difficult time to be diagnosed with cancer at 6 months of pregnancy. My pregnancy was not easy either.

“I was really sick, and I felt like I was already experiencing it-and then being diagnosed with cancer was devastating.

“But I was like:” Yes, you need to sort out yourself now because you need to ask about the baby and how this all affects him. ”

“Because of the need for general anesthesia, there was a risk of miscarriage due to treatment, but there was also a risk of the cancer growing and spreading elsewhere.“I obviously didn’t want to get cancer anymore, but at the same time I didn’t want to do anything that would affect my baby.

“That’s what I did because I was advised to start treatment immediately.”

Aimee had to perform the first eye scan at Swansea’s Singleton Hospital and attend the appointment alone due to Covid’s restrictions.

She states: “As soon as I went to see the doctor and she showed me a scan of my eyes, I immediately realized something was wrong.

“She mentioned the word’tumor’, but at that stage she didn’t mention cancer. “She was then referred to the Royal Liverpool University Hospital for further examination.

Amy said:

“My appointment was December 18, 2020. I will never forget that day because it was the day we were closed again and I was diagnosed with cancer.”

Last January, Amy began treatment at the St. Paul’s Eye Clinic in Liverpool.

She received plaque radiotherapy-high doses of radiation to small areas. A small radioactive disc was placed on the affected eye cancer and continuously emitted radiation.Amy said, “I was seven months pregnant when I was treated. The time I spent in the hospital was very difficult.

“Due to Covid’s restrictions, I couldn’t meet my husband Aaron and could only take paracetamol to relieve the pain.”Amy then recovered at home and gave birth to her son Evan in March 2021.

She said: “He was born happy and healthy, and I am very grateful that he was okay.

“When he was born, I thought I could forget everything that happened now and move on. That was probably not the right thing to do, but I’m taking care of my newborn baby. Sometimes I had to do that. “Three months later, all the experience caught up with Aimee and she began to suffer emotionally.

Amy said: “It was when I started going to Maggie’s Cancer Charity for some help, and it really helped.”Being Evan’s mother was also the light of Amy’s life.

Amy says, “He’s a very happy baby. You may have had the worst day ever, then he smiles and laughs and you’re fighting again.”

However, six months after surgery, Amy returned to Liverpool’s ophthalmology clinic for follow-up and was told that the tumor was still there.

“I was hoping they would say it was completely clear, as the treatment success rate was said to be 95%,” Amy said.

“But unfortunately, the cancer is still present and the tumor is the same size, but not bigger, so it’s positive.“And I think it was the moment I actually realized that this was probably something I had to live with for a while.

“In my mind, before I was diagnosed with cancer, I either thought you survived the cancer or did not.

However, Amy wants the treatment she has already received to affect the tumor.

She states: “I made an appointment in January, but the scan showed scars around the tumor. Scars mean that the cancer can’t grow anymore and chokes slowly.“The cancer is still the same size and we will make an appointment every 6 months for the next 5 years to monitor the situation.

“I may have this for the rest of my life. Unless the cancer grows any further, it may be of some sort, so I’m trying to change my mind about it.”She is now looking forward to participating in Swansea’s Race for Life with Aaron and Evan.

Aimee was selected as a VIP Starter for Cancer Research UK at the event on July 24th. She wants to encourage women and men of all ages and abilities to attend local events. About 19,600 people are diagnosed with cancer each year in Wales, and one in two people in the United Kingdom born after 1960 will get cancer in their lifetime.

The funds raised at Race for Life are aimed at helping scientists find new ways to prevent, diagnose, and treat cancer.Amy said: “I’m proud of Race for Life. It’s a special moment to be on the starting line with her husband and son at Race for Life in July. We all participate in Race for Life. There is a reason to do it.

“For me, it’s not only an opportunity to raise money to help others who are facing cancer right now, but it’s really positive to look forward to.”And Aimee is already an avid supporter of Cancer Research UK and is proud to be part of last year’s charity Shine Walk.

Aimee said: “I think I joined with my cousin and a lot of friends and raised about £ 1,800.

“And my husband also race for life himself and raised £ 1,700. My husband was great. I don’t know how to get over it without him.”

Amy also said he was enthusiastic about raising awareness to help others with cancer, “I think many people are having a hard time talking about cancer, so I’m about it. I want to be open.

“One in two people will get cancer in their lifetime. I think many people are afraid to talk about it.

“When I was experiencing it, many people who thought I was there for me and would talk to me weren’t, but they probably said the wrong thing. I think it was because I was worried.“But in reality, it’s better not to say anything. Don’t get me wrong. Lots of people were there and supported me, but I know that many find it difficult. So I think it’s very important. Talk about it, break those barriers and raise awareness. “Amy added: “When you get cancer, your perspective on life changes. Many people know that, but they don’t realize it until they experience this.

“You are grateful for what is really important in your life. I recently quit my job before being diagnosed and am very happy now.”Aimee emphasizes the importance of having regular vision tests and states that it is not just for vision testing.

She states: “A vision test doesn’t just check your eyesight. I don’t think many people are aware of it.

“After sharing my story on social media, I received a lot of messages from people like this:” I’m in my thirties and have never had a vision test. For your story I booked it. “I went to an eye test.” And that’s really important to me. “