Australian mum makes cancer discovery after dismissing common symptom

Jacqueline Russell, 32, diagnosed with gestational breast cancer

The mother-of-five has started an intense treatment regime

A GoFundMe was set up to help the family with expenses -to donate

A young mum-of-five who was diagnosed with grade-three gestational breast cancer initially thought the lumps in her breast were caused by a common breastfeeding condition.

Jacqueline Russell, 32, was visiting her doctor for a routine blood test in September when she noticed two lumps in her breast.

Ms Russell initially believed the lumps were due to mastitis, an infection of breast tissue that often occurs in the first three months of breastfeeding.

Mastitis can be caused by blocked milk ducts or bacteria entering the breast, and Ms Russell was still breastfeeding her 10-month-old son when she noticed the lumps.

However, after an ultra-sound and several biopsies, doctors diagnosed Ms Russell with grade-three gestational breast cancer.

Gestational breast cancer is a type of cancer specific to young mothers which develops during pregnancy or while breastfeeding.

Her brother, Michael, told Daily Mail Australia the diagnosis was a massive shock to the family.

He explained that his sister was baffled to learn she developed cancer while she was breastfeeding despite having four other 'perfectly smooth' pregnancies.

'She was pretty scared waiting for the results and then she was pretty scared and anxious about what her next steps were going to be,' Michael said.

'When they told her what it was from (gestational breast cancer) she just couldn't believe it.

'This whole time she's had five kids and it all happened from pregnancy and breastfeeding the fifth time round.'

Michael said diagnosis was initially 'overwhelming' for his sister as she was unsure how she would manage treatment while raising five children and finishing her psychology degree at university.

Jacqueline and her husband Brad are doing their best to maintain a normal routine for their five children, who range in age from 13 years to 10 months.

On October 14, the devoted mum was forced to stop breastfeeding her 10-month-old son as she started her first round of chemotherapy.

Jacqueline's extensive treatment plan includes 16 weeks of chemotherapy, surgery, radiation and hormone blockers, which are used to stop her body from producing the hormones creating the cancer.

Michael said his sister's husband, who is a firefighter, picked up a second job as a plasterer to help cover medical bills and everyday living expenses.

'I know that some of the things are subsidised, but obviously not the bulk of it and there's all these mouths to feed as well,' Michael said.

'They're trying to juggle life right, with treatment and work and five kids. Obviously with interest rates and stuff like that, there's not enough money to feed five kids and pay the mortgage and all the other bills too.

'He [the baby] is not the greatest sleeper, then also having to get the kids to school, and like two of them do swimming and also there's football, basketball and gymnastics, it's a lot to manage even without going through cancer treatment.'

Michael's wife, Amelia, started a GoFundMe campaign to help raise money for the family.

'I've set this up to be a lifeline for when they need to pay for medical expenses, childcare, groceries, cleaners, and everything else Jacqui normally does for her family,' Amelia wrote.

Michael said his sister and her husband have received incredible support from their family as well as the wider Newcastle community.

'It's been really nice to see the community kind of behind Jackie and get behind such a lovely young and small family in these times,' Michael said.

Michael added his sister's main aim is to get healthy for her family and raise awareness about gestational breast cancer, especially in younger women.

'She loves her kids and has always put them first and is really passionate about her family and raising awareness about gestational breast cancer,' Michael said.

'She's taken a pretty big initiative to spread awareness... how to get it checked, how you can actually get it out and the impacts of it.'