She found out she had cancer while pregnant. Experts say earlier screening needed in Quebec – CBC

Province has the highest cancer incidence rate in Canada

Feb 05, 2026

When Salimeh Maghsoudlou felt a lump in her breast during pregnancy, cancer was the last thing on her mind.

“I didn’t feel sick at all,” she said. “A lot of breast cancers are asymptomatic.”

Maghsoudlou, a federal public servant and policy analyst, was pregnant in 2019 when she discovered signs of the tumour herself — by chance.

Tests later confirmed breast cancer. She began chemotherapy while still pregnant, then continued treatment with surgery and radiotherapy after giving birth.

What should have been a joyful time welcoming her son quickly turned into a fight for survival.

Read more: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/quebec-highest-cancer-incident-rate-in-canada-9.7074591