Tragically, a woman from China died earlier this week after refusing chemotherapy for womb cancer to protect her unborn baby.
According to the World Cancer Research Fund, womb cancer, which is formally known as Endometrial cancer, is the sixth most common cancer in women worldwide (fourteenth most common cancer overall), with 320,000 new cases diagnosed in 2012. Usually this type of cancer is detected quickly because symptoms appear early.
In July, Qio Yuanyuan found out she had late-stage womb cancer but chose to protect her baby rather than start treatment. Fox News reports that she gave birth to her baby in September via emergency Caesarean section. The newborn, Niannian, was born two months early and weighed a tiny 3.3 pounds.
Although Yuanyuan’s decision to give up her life for her child was undoubtedly selfless, some commenters on an online forum have lashed out against her. One person said, “It’s not a beautiful thing if a child is born with no care and love from its natural mother”; and another said this horrific comment: “Leaving a little life alone in the world, such a heartless mother.”
Thankfully, Yuanyuan’s husband has a completely different view of his wife’s decision. He told the Morning Post, “She chose to save our child; she understood that not everything in life can be perfect. And she said she had never regretted her decision.” He also said that his wife’s biggest wish was to become a mother. Prior to her death, Yuanyuan was an up and coming TV host in Zhengzhou, China. Co-workers described her as a woman dedicated to her job, who sometimes worked 14-hour days without complaining.
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As LifeNews previously reported, a Colorado woman made the same sacrifice as Yuanyuan when she died from an amniotic fluid embolism after giving birth to her second child. On November 3rd, Karisa Bugal was scheduled for a routine caesarean section; however doctors quickly discovered she had condition. She had a few options. Karisa could delay giving birth, which could save her life but risk her sons; she could stay awake for her surgery but by then the doctor’s would have put in a spinal tap and it’s possible her son would not have made it; or she could have an emergency caesarean section.
She chose to deliver her son right away and her give him best chance of survival. Karisa died shortly after he was born.
