Mum-of-two with rare pregnancy cancer begins immunotherapy after fundraiser reaches £50,000 target

Victoria Howarth tells Ann O'Connor that she'll be "eternally grateful" to all those who donated to her potentially life-saving cancer fund.

A mother-of-two who has started a potentially life-saving cancer treatment says she is "eternally grateful" to everyone who has donated.

Victoria Howarth, from Freckleton, Preston, was first diagnosed with choriocarcinoma in January 2022, which is linked to cells left in the body after pregnancy.

The 36-year-old's fundraiser reached her £50,000 target with more than £20,000 raised within a matter of days after sharing her story on ITV Granada Reports.

She said: "There is nothing that I can say or do that will express my gratitude to these people, but it means everything to me and it means everything to my family that you have donated to give us the opportunity to spend longer together.

"We are just eternally grateful."

What is choriocarcinoma?

Choriocarcinoma is a rare, fast-growing, and aggressive cancer that can occur in the uterus, ovaries, or testes. It's a type of gestational trophoblastic disease that can develop after a pregnancy.

It is more common after a molar pregnancy but can also happen after a full term pregnancy, miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy or abortion, according to Cancer Research.

Choriocarcinoma only happens in about 1 in every 50,000 pregnancies and can develop some months or even years after pregnancy. It can be difficult to diagnose because it is so rare.

It can spread to other parts of the body, but is usually cured by chemotherapy treatment or surgery.

Because Victoria has undergone four rounds of immunotherapy treatment, she is not eligible for a fifth round of immunotherapy on the NHS, sparking her family's decision to raise money for potentially lifesaving treatment.

Although she has reached her £50,000 target, which will cover around 10 sessions of immunotherapy, it is not currently known just how many sessions Victoria will need. Because of this, the fundraiser is continuing.

"I'm emotional because of my situation and then I am overwhelmed with emotions from people's generosity and i'm just trying to keep my family together.

"In a way carry on as normal and let my children know that it is going to be okay.

"I obviously can't make them promises that I will be here forever, but you know, we are hopeful."

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