BREAST INSTINCT
Mum shares photo of lump bulging from breast after doctors repeatedly dismissed it – now she’s battling killer cancer
Other signs of the mum's killer cancer to watch out for and a step-by-step guide to checking your breasts
A MUM has shared a shocking photo of a giant lump protruding from her breast, which doctors repeatedly dismissed a benign.
But after months of being told there was nothing to worry about, Tirzah Cooper's worst fears were confirmed as her received a devastating diagnosis.
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Her ordeal began back in August 2021, when she first noticed the growth at the top of her breast.
"At the time, I was working for a plastic surgeon, and she sent me for an ultrasound," the 39-year-old explains.
"It just showed as a benign tumour. They told me to repeat it in six months.
"So I did, and it was the same again—just a benign tumour."
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But Tirzah Cooper knew all was not right with her body, especially when the lump grew so big that other began noticing it too.
But by early 2022, the lump had doubled in size, protruding visibly through her skin.
A another ultrasound and subsequent biopsy revealed the truth: Tirzah had breast cancer.
"Finding out you have cancer is like having your whole world collapse around you," Tirzah recalls.
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"I was healthy, I had two kids, and yet there I was, facing this diagnosis. It felt unreal."
Tirzah's full diagnosis was ER-positive, PR-positive, HER2-negative breast cancer, meaning the tumour was using hormones in the body - such as oestrogen and progesterone - to help it grow.
A tiny lump in my breast nearly killed me at just 31 - I felt 'amazingly healthy'
The mum soon began a series of gruelling treatments to eradicate the disease.
"I started with neo-adjuvant chemotherapy—four rounds of AC and 12 rounds of Taxol. It was five months of hell, but I kept telling myself, ‘You can do this,’” she says.
As she went through treatment, Tirzah began sharing her experiences to her TikTok channel, encouraging others in her position to embrace their new normal with strength and resilience.
Tirzah, who's based in Canada, explains: "I want to spread awareness about breast cancer and empower survivors to embrace life beyond diagnosis."
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Long-term side effects
After chemotherapy, she underwent a double mastectomy with reconstruction, which left her with implants but no breast tissue.
";It’s such a strange feeling - knowing that your body isn’t the same anymore.
"People think that once the cancer is gone, life goes back to normal. But that’s not how it works," she shares.
"The long-term side effects of cancer treatment are things people don’t talk about enough."
From menopause induced by hormone-suppressing therapy to the daily pain in her hips and joints, Tirzah’s life is a far cry from what it once was.
What are the signs of breast cancer?
BREAST cancer is the most common type of cancer in the UK.
The majority of women who get it are over 50, but younger women and, in rare cases, men can also get breast cancer.
If it’s treated early enough, breast cancer can be prevented from spreading to other parts of the body.
Breast cancer can have a number of symptoms, but the first noticeable symptom is usually a lump or area of thickened breast tissue.
Most breast lumps aren’t cancerous, but it’s always best to have them checked by your doctor. You should also speak to your GP if you notice any of the following:
- a change in the size or shape of one or both breasts
- discharge from either of your nipples (which may be streaked with blood)
- a lump or swelling in either of your armpits
- dimpling on the skin of your breasts
- a rash on or around your nipple
- a change in the appearance of your nipple, such as becoming sunken into your breast
Source: NHS
"I was only 36 when I was put into menopause because of the treatment.
"Now, at 39, I still have bad hip and joint pain, especially in the winter," she reveals.
"The hormone suppressants were unbearable. They crippled me.
"After trying injections and pills, I finally decided to stop the therapy. The risk versus my quality of life just wasn’t worth it."
Her decision wasn’t easy, but she believes it was the right one for her.
"As a mum of two, with a life ahead of me, I wanted to focus on living—not just surviving," Tirzah says.
"Patients are already dealing with so much. It’s important to talk about quality of life, not just statistics and treatment plans."
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Small victories
Throughout her treatment, Tirzah found solace in small victories.
"I learned to celebrate the wins, no matter how small. When my pathology came back clear, it was a celebration. Those little moments kept me going," she says.
But she shared that one of the most challenging parts of her journey was losing her hair.
"I had long, luscious black hair. I’ve always been a girly girl - I loved lashes and glam. Losing my hair was devastating," she admits.
But instead of letting it defeat her, Tirzah turned it into an opportunity to experiment with her look.
"Before starting chemo, I cut my hair into a cute bob and tried out wigs.
"My daughter and I even made a fun day of it, trying on pink wigs and laughing.
"When else are you going to have the chance to wear a pink wig?"
People see my hair growing back and think I’m back to normal, but the truth is, you’re never really the same again
Tirzah Cooper
As her hair started falling out in clumps, Tirzah decided to take control.
"I buzzed my head before it all fell out. It made me feel empowered," she says.
"My fiancé at the time - now my husband - helped me buzz it. It was such a supportive moment.
"I thought I’d hate being bald, but I actually didn’t mind it. I even thought it looked kind of cute.
"When my hair started coming back, it was thin and fluffy, almost like baby hair. I joked that I looked like a balding old man," Tirzah laughs.
"But eventually, my eyebrows grew back, my eyelashes came back, and I could get lash extensions again. Now my hair is thicker, and it feels like a victory."
'I'm a warrior'
Despite her progress, Tirzah still faces challenges.
"I can’t do things like push-ups or heavy lifting. My body just isn’t the same," she says.
To stay active, she incorporates light squats and Yin yoga into her routine.
"I have to take it easy because if I push myself too hard, I won’t be able to walk for days."
Through her TikTok platform, Tirzah offers a candid look at the realities of life after cancer.
"It’s not just about the physical recovery. It’s about processing the emotional toll as well," she explains.
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"People see my hair growing back and think I’m back to normal, but the truth is, you’re never really the same again.
"I want to remind people that there is a light at the end of the tunnel. On those dark days when you feel like you can’t go on, just know it’s temporary.
"One day, you’ll look back at photos of yourself bald and think, ‘Wow, I got through it. I’m a warrior.’"
Now, Tirzah is focused on spreading awareness and advocating for others.
"I’ve grieved the person I was before cancer, but I’ve also embraced who I am now," she says.
"I’m stronger, more resilient, and more determined than ever to make a difference.
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"Cancer changes you forever.
"But it also teaches you to appreciate life in a way you never did before. I’m here, I’m alive, and I’m grateful."
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