A WOMAN with incurable cancer has postponed treatment due to the risk of catching coronavirus.

Sara Gilmer, of Peeblesshire, had been hoping to undergo palliative chemotherapy after learning the disease had spread to an inoperable area.

But now the mum-of-two has made the difficult decision to delay the procedure.

Ms Gilmer said: "As my chemo won't cure me it seems silly to put myself at added risk for now."

Diagnosed with cervical cancer in 2018, Ms Gilmer underwent chemotherapy, radiotherapy and bracytherapy, before being given the all-clear in January 2019.

However, the cancer returned months later and she underwent surgery which involved a total pelvic exenteration, an invasive procedure which removes the full reproductive system.

Her life having been changed dramatically, she was left with two stoma bags and contracted sepsis four times – the last infection leading to a heart attack.

“Recovery was extremely tough and long," Ms Gilmer said. "I regretted having the surgery at times.”

The fight was not over, though, as in November she was given the news that the cancer had returned and spread to the lymph nodes and around the ureter.

She explained: “There’s no cure now so I’m on palliative chemo. It’s unsure at this stage if the chemo will actually work though, as I need to wait till I've had at least three sessions to see if it's slowing the growth.”

That having been put on hold due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Ms Gilmer is now in limbo, along with many other cancer patients.

Ms Gilmer said: “My treatment has been deemed too risky in case I catch the virus. As my chemo won't cure me it seems silly to put myself at added risk for now. I'd rather have this time and be well with my children while we're all isolating.”

Postponing treatment also comes with a risk. “It could be too late to continue with treatment by the time this all blows over but we don't have much of a choice right now, it's just something else we need to come to terms with,” said Ms Gilmer.

Despite the heartbreaking news, Ms Gilmer has hailed her children as heroes. Alix and Ahron, who care for their mum, are doing "fantastic" work, Ms Gilmer said.

“It's been a tough couple of years for them but they've really stepped up these past few weeks. Alix is very good at cooking and keeping the house in order. Ahron likes to help me relax, he'll run baths and make me cups of tea, juice and bring snacks to tide me over. They both make sure I don't overdo it and have really come together as a wee team – it's lovely to see.”

However, it’s a labour of love for Ms Gilmer's children whose devotion to their mum knows no bounds.

Ahron said: "It's hard but I'm doing it for my mum because she's sick".

Alix added: “It's tough on everyone, but at the end of the day it's my life and my family and I wouldn't trade it for anything".