Rare Form of Cancer a Deadly Killer
Cancer is one of the top five killers in Britain, with Cancer Research results showing it killed 254 people for every 100,000 in 2012. Louise Ann Dennard knows only too well how suddenly cancer can strike, having lost her younger sister to Malignant Peripheral Nerve Sheath Tumors (MPNST), a rare form of the disease, in 2011.
Louise and Nattalie
This type of tumour usually affects children and young adults and current treatment for it includes surgery, radiation therapy and chemotherapy. Although treatment can help increase the chances of survival, it can also be very hard on the body.
A Shocking Diagnosis
On the 1st March 2011, Nattalie’s lung collapsed and she was rushed to hospital in a critical condition with only a 50% chance of survival.
Louise spoke to us about that difficult time.
“Like the little fighter that she was, she managed to pull through, although post operation she was very weak for a long time. The doctors had discovered a tumour the size of a rugby ball crushing her chest and diagnosed malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumours (MPNST).