Rubelle Banguis, a 35-year-old Filipina expat living in Dubai, had been eagerly anticipating the birth of her first child when her pregnancy took an unexpected and life-changing turn. In her third trimester, she began experiencing unexplained pain, redness, and a rapidly growing lump in her breast. Initially, she thought these changes were just part of pregnancy’s natural course, but her doctor, Dr. Maria Cristina Fernandez, a Specialist in Obstetrics and Gynecology at Prime Hospital, quickly suspected something more serious and advised further tests.
What followed was a devastating diagnosis that would reshape her life. Rubelle was diagnosed with triple-negative invasive ductal carcinoma, one of the most aggressive forms of breast cancer. The news came as a shock, but she remained composed as her medical team, led by Dr. Verushka Mansukhani, Specialist Breast Surgeon, and Dr. Arun Karanwal, Specialist Medical Oncologist, immediately began working on a treatment plan that would protect both her and her unborn child.
A Rare and Aggressive Diagnosis
Breast cancer during pregnancy is already a complex condition, as it tends to be more aggressive, especially in cases like Rubelle’s, where the cancer is triple-negative. Dr. Verushka Mansukhani explained the medical challenges: “Pregnancy itself increases the risk of thrombosis, and with cancer, this risk multiplies. Every step had to be taken with extreme caution.”
Despite the emotional and physical strain, Rubelle showed remarkable strength, focusing on the life growing inside her as her doctors worked to ensure both her safety and that of her baby. Due to the high-risk nature of both her pregnancy and cancer diagnosis, Rubelle’s treatment plan was carefully tailored by a multidisciplinary team of oncologists, obstetricians, surgeons, and anesthesiologists.
Fighting Cancer While Pregnant
As her pregnancy advanced, Rubelle began neoadjuvant chemotherapy during her third trimester, closely monitored by Dr. Arun Karanwal. The chemotherapy sessions were carefully timed to minimize risks to her child, as radiation and nuclear imaging were unsafe during pregnancy. “The treatment was designed around her expected delivery date, ensuring that she received continuous care while reducing risks,” Dr. Verushka said.
Each chemotherapy session was meticulously planned, with constant monitoring to ensure Rubelle’s health remained stable. For many women, chemotherapy is a physically grueling process, and for Rubelle, it involved the added challenge of protecting her unborn baby.
Safe Delivery Against All Odds
At 36 weeks, Rubelle successfully delivered a healthy baby girl via caesarean section, a moment she describes as a relief after months of uncertainty and strain. “My baby gave me the strength to keep going. Knowing that I was carrying a life inside me gave me a powerful reason to fight,” Rubelle shared.
The relief of holding her newborn in her arms didn’t end her battle. After childbirth, Rubelle resumed chemotherapy. While the initial scans showed a partial response to the treatment, she underwent eight chemotherapy cycles before surgery was planned. Due to the extent of the tumour, breast-conserving surgery was not an option, and Rubelle underwent a modified radical mastectomy, along with lymph node removal. The surgery was performed by Dr. Verushka Mansukhani and Dr. Neelamma Natikar, Specialist Plastic Surgeon, who also performed breast reconstruction during the same procedure.
Recovering and Resuming Life
Rubelle’s recovery was swift; she was discharged within two days and returned to normal activities within weeks. Currently, she is undergoing adjuvant radiation therapy to complete her cancer treatment.
For Rubelle, the emotional toll of cancer and chemotherapy was immense. One of the hardest moments came after delivery when she was advised not to breastfeed her baby so she could continue chemotherapy. “That was an emotional stage,” Dr. Verushka remarked, noting how Rubelle’s determination never wavered.
“Going through chemotherapy made everything feel painfully real, especially when I started losing my hair,” Rubelle recalled. “That was when the reality of cancer truly sank in. But none of it mattered in the end. Every sacrifice was worth it because my child gave meaning to every difficult moment.”
A Message of Hope
Today, Rubelle is focused on her recovery and the joys of motherhood, drawing strength from the unexpected journey she’s had to face. Addressing other women who might find themselves in similar circumstances, Rubelle offered a message of hope and resilience: “It’s terrifying, but it doesn’t mean hope is lost. Trust your doctors, lean on the people who love you, and take each day as it comes.”
Her story is a testament to the strength of the human spirit and the unbreakable bond between a mother and her child, even in the most challenging of circumstances.
