NEED TO KNOW
Amy Carroll discovered her breast cancer during cosmetic surgery after breastfeeding her third child
After being told she couldn’t have more children, the tattoo model became pregnant with a “miracle” baby in December 2025
Months later, Carroll was diagnosed with stage 4 brain cancer and will undergo an emergency C-section to start chemotherapy
After surviving breast cancer, a mom has now been diagnosed with stage 4 brain cancer.
In 2021, Amy Carroll — a 34-year-old tattoo model from Northamptonshire, England — was diagnosed with breast cancer. She discovered the disease when getting cosmetic surgery after finishing breastfeeding her third son.
“I had my boys quite young and my boobs looked different, so I went and had breast surgery,” she told Southwest News Service. “That was when I noticed the little lump that turned out to be breast cancer. I ended up having chemotherapy, radiotherapy and eight different surgeries.”
“I’m past the point of caring what my boobs look like now but that cosmetic surgery saved my life as I wouldn’t have known I had cancer then,” she said.
Amy Carroll with her sons
Credit: Amy Carroll/SWNS
After overcoming breast cancer, Carroll thought she was in the clear. But due to the intense chemotherapy, she was told that she would not be able to have any more children. She was a mom to three boys, ages 8, 12 and 18.
However, in December 2025, she was thrilled to learn that she was pregnant with her fourth child.
“After my breast cancer treatment, I was told I could never have kids so this baby is a miracle,” she said. “We found out over Christmas and the baby was due on my birthday, which felt extra special.”
Amy Carroll with her family
Credit: Amy Carroll/SWNS
Shortly after becoming pregnant, Carroll started feeling sick. Doctors diagnosed her with gestational diabetes, a type of high blood sugar that develops during pregnancy in people who do not already have diabetes. It’s fairly common, but she had not experienced it with her first three pregnancies.
“I was feeling a bit dizzy and faint but thought it was a side effect of the diabetes and tried to shake it off,” she recalled.
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Amy Carroll with her sons
Credit: Amy Carroll/SWNS
Carroll’s symptoms ultimately progressed. On June 17, she was in bed around 3 a.m. when she suffered a seizure next to her partner Torrin Sirus, 36.
“My partner woke up to me having a seizure and an ambulance rushed me to hospital, I don’t remember any of that,” she admitted.
At the hospital, Carroll underwent a CT scan and MRI. Two days later, doctors told her that she had stage 4 brain cancer after seven tumors were discovered.
The diagnosis was devastating for her and her family, but Carroll had no time to process it. Doctors told her that she needs to give birth immediately so that she can start treatment.
Amy Carroll with her family
Credit: Amy Carroll/SWNS
She is expected to undergo an emergency C-section on July 6 at 31 weeks and begin radiation and chemotherapy the following week.
“They said babies at this age should recover well and the doctors have been very reassuring,” she told the outlet. “We have decided to name him Arlo Atlas Sirus.”
“When I start treatment, I won’t be able to be with the baby all the time which is going to break me, I’ve got to see how I am after each treatment.,” she continued. “When I do have chemotherapy, I won’t be able to touch him at all, which will be so hard.”
Amy Carroll with her son
Credit: Amy Carroll/SWNS
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Carroll admitted that she’s worried about the possible side effects from her upcoming treatment plan, and she can’t help but think about the “worst case scenario.”
“There are so many potential complications after these surgeries, including memory loss, balance issues, loss of eyesight, inability to talk,” she said. “I just don’t want to forget my life and my kids, I just don’t want to lose that.”
Despite the journey ahead, Carroll is hoping for a good outcome and recognizes that her situation could’ve been worse.
“This pregnancy saved my life because I didn’t realize I was ill,” she said.
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