Mom Diagnosed with Breast Cancer at 10 Weeks Pregnant (Exclusive)

Ever since she was a little girl, Victoria Glass dreamed of becoming a mom. Her mother often told her she seemed “born to be a mom,” and those words stayed with her. So when she and her husband discovered they were expecting in November 2024 — after a previous miscarriage and undergoing IUI — they were over the moon.

The joy, however, came with the challenges of early pregnancy. Glass, 28, a content creator from the northern suburbs of Chicago, was constantly nauseous, though not as severe as she feared. She described it to her friends as feeling “hungover every day without having had anything to drink.” She was tired, lethargic, and the worst part was losing her appetite entirely.

“Every single thing sounded disgusting unless it was white bread, white rice, or popcorn,” she tells PEOPLE exclusively. “I’ve never been a picky eater, so that threw me for a loop.”

By 10 weeks — just before her second trimester — Glass says it was like a switch flipped. “I woke up one day and felt like myself again,” she says.

But soon, an unexpected and frightening development arose. At 10 weeks, she underwent the NIPT test (non-invasive prenatal testing), which screens for chromosomal abnormalities in the fetus using the mother’s blood. Two weeks later, she received a call that immediately filled her with dread.

“I knew something was wrong,” she says. “I thought they would only call if there was an issue with the baby, not me.”

The geneticist explained that while the fetus’s DNA appeared normal, the test was inconclusive due to extra DNA in her blood that didn’t seem to belong to either the baby or herself.

“She asked if I had ever been diagnosed with cancer or had a tumor,” Glass recalls. “I hadn’t, and I started panicking. She explained that tumors can shed extra DNA into the bloodstream, which can show up in this test.”

As she researched, Glass quickly realized how rare this situation was. She says in 2013, a similar case went unnoticed and tragically led to a woman’s death months after giving birth. Since then, the NIH created the IDENTIFY Study, which tracks women whose NIPT tests are abnormal but whose ultrasounds and other fetal tests are normal.

“Of the 107 participants, 52 were diagnosed with cancer,” she says. “It’s still a very rare situation, but this study is helping doctors understand it better.”

Determined to get answers, Glass flew to Bethesda, Maryland, just eight days after the call. At the NIH, she underwent a full-body MRI, met with an oncologist, and had comprehensive blood work done. Before the trip, she had performed a self-exam and noticed a lump in her breast.

“The NIH oncologist and my gynecologist both thought it was likely a cyst, so I was holding on to hope that it would be benign,” she says.

But the MRI revealed a suspicious mass, prompting a biopsy. The following week at Northwestern, she underwent a mammogram, ultrasound, and additional biopsies. The diagnosis: invasive ductal carcinoma.

Her tumor measured three centimeters, was grade three and triple-negative — meaning it was aggressive and not influenced by estrogen or progesterone hormones. The shock of the diagnosis was overwhelming, but Glass says she immediately shifted into survival mode.

“I was with my mom when I got the phone call,” she recalls. “She was hysterically crying, and I just went into research mode — figuring out what to do next. I didn’t fully process it until I gave birth. Part of me was subconsciously protecting the baby from heavy emotions. I just focused on problem-solving, because I knew everything is figureoutable.”

Her fear was more for her unborn child than herself, as she was forced to make the difficult decision to undergo chemotherapy while pregnant.

“I was terrified something could happen to him,” she says. “But knowing my doctors had treated pregnant women with breast cancer before gave me comfort. They were confident in the treatment I was receiving, and I had to trust that.”

Remarkably, she tolerated chemotherapy well. “I was fatigued and had brain fog, and losing my hair was rough, but otherwise I did okay,” she says.

Glass credits her family, friends and especially her husband for helping her navigate this journey. “My relationships have grown stronger,” she says. “My husband has been my rock, making me laugh every day. I’ve learned to ask for help, focus on gratitude, and stay positive. That mindset has carried me through.”

Treatment continued throughout her pregnancy, including four rounds of AC chemotherapy, followed by a single mastectomy at 32 weeks.

“The surgery was a success, with clear margins and no lymph node involvement — that was the biggest relief,” she says.

She carried her son, August, to 36 weeks and welcomed him via vaginal birth on November 11. One week later, she resumed chemotherapy. Though she is unable to breastfeed due to the mastectomy and ongoing treatment, Glass says formula feeding is going well.

“He’s saved my life in a way,” she says. “Knowing I’ll be able to watch him grow is the biggest blessing of all.”

Glass originally shared her journey on TikTok after connecting with other women facing similar challenges. When she was first diagnosed, she searched hashtags like #triplenegativebreastcancer and learned from the experiences others had shared online. It helped her prepare and feel less alone as she navigated her own treatment.

She didn’t expect the outpour of support her video would receive. Since posting, it has reached thousands of people.

“So many women reached out, saying they’d been through the same experience or battled breast cancer postpartum,” she says. “Being able to connect with them, ask how they’re doing, and share experiences has been really fulfilling.”

Today, she speaks daily with three women who are pregnant, battling breast cancer, and being treated at Northwestern — living in the same area and seeing the same doctors. “What are the odds?” she laughs.

“Social media has its pros and cons, but connecting with women during such a vulnerable, scary, and unique experience has been an incredible blessing. I’ve learned so much from their advice and strength.”

This sense of connection has shaped Glass’s outlook on her own journey and inspired her to share the lessons she’s learned.

“Cancer does not discriminate, and self-exams are crucial,” she says. “No matter what challenges you face, blessings can emerge—strengthened relationships, gratitude, and perspective. The human body and spirit are stronger than we think.”

Looking ahead, her focus is on cherishing every moment with her family. “We’ll soak up every moment with our son,” she says. “I don’t know what the future holds for fertility, but I’m grateful for the family I have. Every day is a gift.”