Rachel’s story: Facing kidney cancer during pregnancy

Rachel had always lived with kidney issues. Diagnosed at the age of 12 with leaking membrane from the kidneys, she regularly experienced blood in her urine. Life changed dramatically for Rachel in 2020 during her pregnancy with her daughter Phoenix when unexpected bleeding led to a cancer diagnosis.

Worrying symptoms at 21 weeks’ pregnant

Initially, Rachel thought the bleeding she was experiencing during her pregnancy was due to an ongoing condition which meant she often saw blood in her urine. When the bleeding got worse, she worried about her baby and spoke to her doctors. She was taken for scans and they found a tumour on her kidney.

Being diagnosed with cancer

It was then that she met Professor Ben Challacombe, a consultant urologist at Guy’s and St. Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust and Trustee of The Urology Foundation. Ben talked her through what would happen next. It was a really scary time for Rachel; at 21 weeks’ pregnant there were real concerns that if the tumour was cancerous an operation could send her into early labour. Rachel worried about what this would mean for her baby.

A biopsy confirmed that Rachel had stage 1 kidney cancer, but the country had just gone into the first lockdown for COVID-19 which complicated treatment plans.

A healthcare team who really understood

Rachel didn’t want to be induced early and wanted to give her baby the best chance to grow. Ben and her healthcare team really listened to Rachel’s concerns and worked with her on a treatment plan that would work for her and for her baby. Between the urology and maternity departments, decisions were made with Rachel about next steps. The tumour was slow-growing and the team reassured Rachel that she could continue with her pregnancy and have the operation to remove the tumour after she gave birth.

Cancer, pregnancy and lockdown

The time between her diagnosis and the operation was tough. Rachel continued to work while awaiting the birth of her daughter, but isolation due to lockdown and cancelled plans left her with little distraction from her cancer diagnosis and the worries she had about what would happen after her baby arrived.

She was happy that treatment was delayed as it meant that her baby had more time to grow but understandably it was a difficult time emotionally. Ben and her healthcare team went above and beyond to keep in touch with her and talk through her concerns. She spent those months trying not to worry.

Becoming a mum and undergoing surgery for kidney cancer

Rachel was relieved that she went into labour naturally at full term. She delivered Phoenix, a healthy baby girl.

After giving birth, she contacted Ben who arranged surgery quickly for two weeks after the birth.

Her healthcare team understood that breastfeeding was very important to Rachel and she was supported to express colostrum and then breastmilk to build a supply for when she went for her operation and referred her for other human milk donation. COVID restrictions meant she couldn’t bring Phoenix into hospital with her when she went for surgery and the thought of leaving her newborn was difficult. Ben and the team ensured that the process was as smooth as possible: the robotic surgery she had meant that she was admitted for surgery on the day and discharged the next day so that she could get back to her baby.

Positive outcome

The tumour was larger than expected at 9cm and meant that Ben, her surgeon, had to adapt during the operation. Rachel was thankful to find out that she wouldn’t need any further treatment when follow-up scans confirmed chemotherapy and radiotherapy weren’t needed.

Life after kidney cancer

Rachel’s experience inspired her to give back. Having previously completed the Royal Parks Half Marathon for charity, she decided to run the London Landmarks Half Marathon to raise funds for The Urology Foundation in April 2026. Today, Phoenix is nearly six years old and she loves joining her mum for charity events.