Donia Youssef's Cancer Journey

A Story of Resilience: Donia Youssef's Journey Through Cancer - By Donia Youssef, 46, from Essex On my 39th birthday, I decided to let loose for the first time in a long while. I’d been breastfeeding my second baby, Tiana, for 18 months, and as much as I cherished the intimacy and health benefits, I felt ready to reclaim a sense of self. That night, I celebrated with friends, dancing away what I thought was just another year gone by. Little did I know, everything was about to change. The next morning, while drying off after a shower, I found a hard lump under my arm, the size of a golf ball. Initially, I brushed it off as a bruise from the previous night’s fun. But as I continued examining myself, I noticed that my breasts seemed uneven, with hard areas that felt unusual. Still, I didn’t think it could be anything serious. My focus remained on my baby and the daily juggle of motherhood and work. 

The Balancing Act of Motherhood and Work I had been fortunate to conceive quickly with both my daughters, Aaliyah, now 12, and Tiana, now 9. Becoming a mother was a dream come true, but I loved my career too. I returned to work part-time at a digital media company just four months after Aaliyah’s birth. In hindsight, I realize it was too soon. I missed out on precious moments—those "firsts" that only come once. So, I made a big decision: I left my job and launched my own company, allowing me to work from home and be with my girls. The demands of balancing a business and motherhood were overwhelming. I tried to be everything: a successful entrepreneur, an attentive mother, and a partner. My health took a backseat. The nights were sleepless, the days long, and I began to feel a persistent exhaustion that went beyond the usual fatigue of parenthood. Tiana was a clingy baby, and I struggled to wean her. I tried everything from marmite on my nipples to cabbage leaves, but in the end, guilt made me give in to her demands. As the months went on, I lost a significant amount of weight. What I had gained during pregnancy melted away faster than I expected. I went from a size 16 to a size 8, attributing the change to the constant activity of caring for two young children and running a business. Facing the Diagnosis Then came that morning after my birthday, the lump, and the phone call to my dad, a doctor. He insisted I see my GP immediately. My GP referred me for a mammogram at Basildon University Hospital, but I remained untroubled. I was convinced that it was nothing more than a blocked milk duct or benign cysts. That all changed the day of my appointment. My parents, sister, and partner came with me for support, but walking into a room covered with Macmillan Cancer Support posters filled me with dread. The mammogram, followed by an unexpected biopsy, was terrifying. The radiologist informed me that the tumours they found had a 50% chance of being cancerous. My world shattered in that moment, and all I could do was cry. The next week was a blur of fear and uncertainty. When the results finally came in, the news was devastating: I had stage two breast cancer that had already spread to my lymph nodes. Though stage two didn’t sound too dire, the reality of lymph node involvement made me realize the gravity of my situation. Yet, I knew I had to hold it together for my family, especially for my daughters who needed me. 

The Long Road to Recovery What followed was an intense, six-month chemotherapy regimen and further genetic testing. I learned I carried the BRCA2 gene, a hereditary mutation that had claimed the lives of my grandmother and great-grandmother before they reached 50, as well as my uncle, who died at just 21 from stomach cancer. Knowing that my daughters might carry the same risk added a new layer of grief and determination to my fight. The chemotherapy drained me, and the loss of my hair felt like a stripping away of my identity. My body grew weaker, and I couldn’t engage in the everyday moments that had once defined my role as a mother. I felt robbed of my chance to enjoy Tiana's toddler years and Aaliyah’s milestones. My daughters saw their energetic bubbly fun mummy transform into someone fragile, and their confusion and sadness weighed heavily on my heart. Beyond breast cancer, I faced further health battles—cancerous tumours were discovered in my bowel and skin, and I endured multiple operations to remove them. I developed blood clots and a pulmonary embolism in my lungs, leading to life-threatening complications. My body struggled under the weight of these treatments, and I experienced organ failure after a severe haemorrhage, which required multiple blood transfusions. One of the scariest challenges was facing sepsis—a life-threatening infection that spread rapidly through my weakened immune system. The sudden onset of symptoms left me in critical condition, with a high fever and severe pain. I was rushed to the hospital, and I vividly remember the doctors fighting to stabilize me as I slipped in and out of consciousness. Those moments in the ICU were terrifying, but I clung to the thought of my daughters, determined to make it through. 

Finding Strength in Vulnerability In December 2017, after a double mastectomy with a DIEP flap reconstruction, lymph node removal, and a hysterectomy, I reached remission. But the surgeries left me with constant reminders of the trauma my body had endured. My immune system struggled, leading to frequent hospital visits. Seeing my girls watch me suffer was one of the hardest parts of the entire journey. During this time, I turned to online support groups, connecting with other young mums facing similar battles. Their stories became a source of strength, reminding me that I wasn’t alone. I also began channelling my experiences into a creative outlet, writing The Monster in Mummy to help parents navigate similar challenges. This book eventually grew into a series, and my passion for storytelling and advocacy only deepened. 

A Second Chance at Life As 2018 began, I felt like I had been given a second chance. I poured my energy into my work, launching a film production company and continuing to publish books that raise awareness for cancer and mental health. My daughters became my source of strength, their milestones a testament to the fight I had fought to stay by their side. This past year, I watched Aaliyah start secondary school, a moment I once feared I wouldn’t live to see. And this year, I launched ‘The Triple C - Cancer Care Community’ to continue my support for cancer research and help fund critical research and provide support for others. Yet, the shadows of my experience remain. Triggers—like a friend's cancer diagnosis or a lingering illness—can send me spiralling into fear. I’ve learned to channel that anxiety into my projects, using work as a way to stay grounded. I’ve also surrounded myself with a circle of close friends and family who understand my journey and offer me unwavering support. 

A Story Coming to the Screen Now, my story is being transformed into a film titled ‘The Monster in Mummy’. The film is inspired by my journey through cancer, the challenges I faced as a mother, and the fight to reclaim my life. This is a story of survival, hope, and the resilience it takes to endure the unthinkable. Today, I am more in tune with my body than ever before. I have regular check-ups and will be taking my cancer medication for a further 5 years. And most importantly, I’ve learned to be kind to myself, appreciating the strength it took to endure this journey. Cancer changed me, but it also gave me the drive to live fully. For my girls, for myself, and for the legacy I hope to leave behind. 

Donia Youssef, Campaigns Ambassador for Cancer Research UK Through sharing my story, I hope to empower others to stay vigilant about their health and find the strength to fight back. Whether you're a mother, a partner, or simply someone facing the unknown, remember that there is always hope on the other side of hardship. www.monsterseries.co.uk