"Partner's breast care journey"

Hi, my partner (with two young children) passed away recently from metastatic breast cancer. She was diagnosed around 11 months before, so unfortunately her breast cancer was very aggressive.

Timeline:

* Gave birth to our second child

* When breastfeeding, she started to have pain 2 months later and assumed it was a milk filled duct.

* To ensure there was nothing sinister (as the pain in her breast had been going on for more than a few weeks), my partner saw a lactation consultant the following month. The lactation consultant said there was nothing to worry about which put my partner's mind at ease

* She saw a GP a few weeks later as pain persisted, and was recommended therapeutic ultrasound and fit right physio a month later.

* She then had a breast ultrasound on the following month, and nothing came up

* She had a fine needle aspirate a few weeks later. Further investigation was required as minor findings noted of something that might not be a milk filled duct.

* Breast care surgeon consult the following week

* Core biopsy breast the day after

* Diagnosed with breast cancer the following week

This is not to lay blame as in the end, we both knew the cancer was highly aggressive and probably would have taken her life anyway.

My partner didn't want to say anything whilst she was alive but I believe it would have been great if some learnings could come out of this process (and better training potentially be provided - but understand this case might be rare). I believe it would have been useful that the lactation consultant didn't dismiss fears of something more sinister, and maybe mentioned that if there are concerns, to progress it somehow.