{"id":797501,"date":"2026-07-12T17:53:33","date_gmt":"2026-07-12T17:53:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/797501\/"},"modified":"2026-07-12T17:53:33","modified_gmt":"2026-07-12T17:53:33","slug":"young-married-couple-who-survived-respective-cancer-journeys-met-when-they-were-teens-weve-never-looked-back","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/797501\/","title":{"rendered":"Young Married Couple, Who Survived Respective Cancer Journeys, Met When They Were Teens: \u2018We\u2019ve Never Looked Back\u2019"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>NEED TO KNOW<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Two-time cancer survivor Liv Shaw said she found lasting love with fellow two-time cancer survivor Sam, whom she met through a cancer charity when they were both teenagers<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Liv, who has Li-Fraumeni syndrome, was diagnosed with cancer at 14 and again when she was in college, per the BBC<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Sam &#8220;can find laughter anytime and always knows how to lift my spirits and support me,&#8221; said Liv<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">A woman who has <a data-ylk=\"slk:survived cancer twice;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas;\" data-yga=\"{&quot;yLinkElement&quot;:&quot;link&quot;,&quot;yLinkElementType&quot;:&quot;article_link&quot;}\" href=\"https:\/\/people.com\/cancer-survivor-facing-life-threatening-illness-after-she-ate-friends-homemade-meal-11926448\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\" target=\"_blank\">survived cancer twice<\/a> said she found love with a man who understands her journey better than almost anyone else could.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Liv Shaw, of Manchester, England, was born with a genetic condition called Li-Fraumeni syndrome (LFS), which significantly increases the chances that a person will develop cancer in both childhood and adulthood, per the <a data-ylk=\"slk:BBC;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas;\" data-yga=\"{&quot;yLinkElement&quot;:&quot;link&quot;,&quot;yLinkElementType&quot;:&quot;article_link&quot;}\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/articles\/czj8mgd2yd2o\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\" target=\"_blank\">BBC<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">According to the <a data-ylk=\"slk:American Cancer Society;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas;\" data-yga=\"{&quot;yLinkElement&quot;:&quot;link&quot;,&quot;yLinkElementType&quot;:&quot;article_link&quot;}\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/risk-prevention\/genetics\/family-cancer-syndromes\/li-fraumeni-syndrome.html\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\" target=\"_blank\">American Cancer Society<\/a>, LFS is most commonly caused by an inherited mutation in the TP53 gene, which is a gene that suppresses tumors. It is hereditary and usually diagnosed through genetic testing.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Liv, 29, was diagnosed with a form of bone cancer called osteosarcoma at age 14, which resulted in the amputation of her right leg above the knee.<\/p>\n<p><img alt=\"Liv Shaw (right) with husband Sam (left).Credit: Liv Shaw\/Cancer Research UK\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"640\" height=\"427\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"rounded-lg\" style=\"color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/https:\/\/media.zenfs.com\/en\/people_218\/0756fd403be234ea9bf1a419ab16f4cd.jpeg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Liv Shaw (right) with husband Sam (left).<br \/>Credit: Liv Shaw\/Cancer Research UK<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">In 2020, while at university, she was diagnosed with cancer a second time when doctors discovered a lump after she broke a rib. She had the tumor removed and did not require further treatment.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Further testing revealed that Liv had LFS, and the operations manager decided to have both of her breasts removed to reduce her risk of developing breast cancer in 2023.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Throughout it all, Liv has had the love and support of her now husband \u2014 Sam, a <a data-ylk=\"slk:fellow two-time cancer survivor;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas;\" data-yga=\"{&quot;yLinkElement&quot;:&quot;link&quot;,&quot;yLinkElementType&quot;:&quot;article_link&quot;}\" href=\"https:\/\/people.com\/woman-shares-advice-after-living-with-cancer-for-years-exclusive-11987255\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\" target=\"_blank\">fellow two-time cancer survivor<\/a> whom she met when they were both teens volunteering at a charity called the Teenage Cancer Trust.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Liv recalled that she was drawn to Sam immediately.<\/p>\n<p><img alt=\"Liv Shaw amid her cancer journey.Credit: Liv Shaw\/Cancer Research UK\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"384\" height=\"480\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"rounded-lg\" style=\"color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/https:\/\/media.zenfs.com\/en\/people_218\/718414e563b80c11f5635f3ddb74832a.jpeg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Liv Shaw amid her cancer journey.<br \/>Credit: Liv Shaw\/Cancer Research UK<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">&#8220;I initially met Sam at Teenage Cancer Trust&#8217;s Find Your Sense of Tumor conference when I was 16 and just remember how funny he was, and still is,&#8221; she said while speaking to the BBC.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">The pair reconnected several years later while taking part in an additional Teenage Cancer Trust event.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">&#8220;We were both involved in speaking about body image following treatment at the conference a few years later, and Sam got involved in a charity fashion show that I&#8217;d been involved in,&#8221; Liv recalled.<\/p>\n<p><img alt=\"Liv Shaw (left) with husband Sam (right).Credit: Liv Shaw\/Cancer Research UK\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"384\" height=\"480\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"rounded-lg\" style=\"color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/https:\/\/media.zenfs.com\/en\/people_218\/ef225c9941edee89a91e840bb79bf3bc.jpeg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Liv Shaw (left) with husband Sam (right).<br \/>Credit: Liv Shaw\/Cancer Research UK<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">She said that they started dating during that time and &#8220;never looked back.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">&#8220;Sam has been an absolute rock throughout my second cancer diagnosis, and subsequent LFS diagnosis,&#8221; she added. &#8220;Sam can find laughter anytime and always knows how to lift my spirits and support me.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">The pair ultimately <a data-ylk=\"slk:married in Las Vegas;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas;\" data-yga=\"{&quot;yLinkElement&quot;:&quot;link&quot;,&quot;yLinkElementType&quot;:&quot;article_link&quot;}\" href=\"https:\/\/people.com\/celebrities-who-got-married-in-las-vegas-11691418\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\" target=\"_blank\">married in Las Vegas<\/a> in 2025.<\/p>\n<p><img alt=\"Liv Shaw (left) with husband Sam (right).Credit: Liv Shaw\/Cancer Research UK\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"384\" height=\"480\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"rounded-lg\" style=\"color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/https:\/\/media.zenfs.com\/en\/people_218\/90359086025a3c72000f0fcf46c47f82.jpeg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Liv Shaw (left) with husband Sam (right).<br \/>Credit: Liv Shaw\/Cancer Research UK<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Liv went on to tell the BBC that she currently tries to live life as normally as possible.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">&#8220;I stay positive and keep things as normal as I can,&#8221; she said. &#8220;But I&#8217;m only in my twenties and I&#8217;ve already been through two different cancers.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">She hopes sharing her experience will help draw attention to the need for more research into Li-Fraumeni syndrome, particularly treatments that could prevent cancer before it develops.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">&#8220;My care is all about <a data-ylk=\"slk:detecting cancer early,;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas;\" data-yga=\"{&quot;yLinkElement&quot;:&quot;link&quot;,&quot;yLinkElementType&quot;:&quot;article_link&quot;}\" href=\"https:\/\/people.com\/olivia-munn-talks-amanda-peet-cancer-diagnosis-early-detection-exclusive-11942834\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\" target=\"_blank\">detecting cancer early,<\/a> not preventing it in the first place,&#8221; she explained. &#8220;There&#8217;s\u202fno\u202fcure for LFS. People like me urgently need more, and less invasive, ways to help reduce our cancer risk. That&#8217;s why research is so vital along with the donations.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Never miss a story \u2014 sign up for <a data-ylk=\"slk:PEOPLE&#039;s free daily newsletter;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas;\" data-yga=\"{&quot;yLinkElement&quot;:&quot;link&quot;,&quot;yLinkElementType&quot;:&quot;article_link&quot;}\" href=\"https:\/\/people.com\/people-news-daily-newsletter-sign-up-8692701\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\" target=\"_blank\">PEOPLE&#8217;s free daily newsletter<\/a> to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.<\/p>\n<p><img alt=\"Liv Shaw.Credit: Liv Shaw\/Cancer Research UK\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"384\" height=\"480\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"rounded-lg\" style=\"color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/https:\/\/media.zenfs.com\/en\/people_218\/0de5d140ed98fc62802681288e3e3584.jpeg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Liv Shaw.<br \/>Credit: Liv Shaw\/Cancer Research UK<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Liv said advocating for others living with the condition has given her renewed purpose.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">&#8220;Using my voice to make a positive difference gives me strength and knowing that there could be a better outlook for people like me with LFS on the horizon spurs me on,&#8221; she told the BBC.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Read the original article on <a data-ylk=\"slk:People;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas;\" data-yga=\"{&quot;yLinkElement&quot;:&quot;link&quot;,&quot;yLinkElementType&quot;:&quot;article_link&quot;}\" href=\"https:\/\/people.com\/married-couple-who-survived-respective-cancer-journeys-met-when-they-were-teens-12012930\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\" target=\"_blank\">People<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"NEED TO KNOW Two-time cancer survivor Liv Shaw said she found lasting love with fellow two-time cancer survivor&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":797502,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[10],"tags":[51434,49,48,84,5895,79611,281102,23058,26883],"class_list":["post-797501","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-health","tag-american-cancer-society","tag-ca","tag-canada","tag-health","tag-lfs","tag-li-fraumeni-syndrome","tag-liv-shaw","tag-sam","tag-teenage-cancer-trust"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/797501","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=797501"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/797501\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/797502"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=797501"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=797501"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=797501"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}