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Doctor's Cancer Scare: A Battle Against Autoimmune Attack
2 Nov
Summary
- A doctor discovered a lump, leading to a triple-negative breast cancer diagnosis.
- Cancer treatment triggered severe autoimmune arthritis, causing mobility issues.
- After recovery from cancer, she now manages steroid side effects and arthritis.
A 39-year-old doctor, Dr. Hajra Siraj from England, experienced a significant health crisis starting with the discovery of a lump in her armpit. Initially diagnosed with triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) and metastasis to lymph nodes in April 2025, she underwent fertility preservation before commencing chemotherapy and immunotherapy.
Further complications arose when she discovered a BRCA2 gene mutation, increasing her risk for breast cancer. Her immunotherapy treatment was halted early due to severe autoimmune arthritis, which caused extreme joint pain and immobility. This condition, secondary to the immunotherapy, necessitated high-dose steroids, leading to osteoporosis and spinal fractures.
After completing cancer treatment in April of this year, Dr. Siraj focused on managing the debilitating side effects of her treatment, including reliance on a wheelchair. With a change in medical care and the introduction of disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs), she is now regaining mobility and rebuilding her strength. Despite the extensive complications, she is alive and has overcome her cancer.
