A five-year-old girl was diagnosed with eye cancer during a routine eye test after displaying no symptoms.
Rachel McGovern, five, had a regular eye test in school, which revealed she might need glasses. She was referred to an ophthalmologist.
Her mum, Geraldine McGovern, 40, took her to the appointment at Sligo University Hospital, and the doctor placed eye drops, which revealed a tumor in her right eye.
Doctors confirmed to Geraldine that it was cancer and transferred her to Temple Street Children’s Hospital, Dublin, where an MRI confirmed Rachel had retinoblastoma.
Six days after her initial diagnosis, on October 16, 2022, Rachel was in Birmingham Women’s Hospital for intra-arterial chemotherapy and 12 months of treatment.
A year later, Geraldine was told Rachel was in remission, and in August this year, she was officially discharged from the hospital.
Geraldine, a full-time mom from Dowra, County Caven, Ireland, said: “Rachel didn’t have the glow or any unusual symptoms.
“When the doctor looked into her eye, everything was fine. It was only when the eye drops went in and dilated her eye that they could see the tumor.
“It was an unbelievable shock; we went in for a routine eye test and came out being told my daughter had cancer.”
Rachel was five years old when she had a routine eye test at school in June 2022.
The test showed that Rachel might need glasses, but she displayed no symptoms of retinoblastoma.
In October 2022, Geraldine took Rachel to the eye doctor for her referral at Sligo University Hospital, Sligo.
Geraldine said: “The appointment was in our local hospital and everything was fine until the eye drops went in.
“Rachel’s eye dilated, and they could see the tumor.
“Her eye eyes didn’t look any different, and she didn’t have any of the usual symptoms, which was worrying.
“We were in such shock; our family was changed forever in a split second.
“Thankfully, the cancer was contained.”
Rachel was referred to Temple Street Children’s Hospital, Dublin, for an appointment the very next day.
Geraldine said: “Rachel had an MRI scan, which confirmed it was a retinoblastoma.
“I was told about intra-arterial chemotherapy – a treatment that involves delivering concentrated chemotherapy drugs directly to the arteries – and chemo injections in Temple Street, but I was informed that they couldn’t be done in Ireland, and it would be the best treatment for Rachel.
“I travelled on my own with Rachel over a period of 12 months, as my husband stayed at home to mind our two other kids and the family farm.”
Geraldine and Rachel flew to Birmingham on Oct. 16, 2023, for a consultation at Birmingham Women’s Hospital.
Geraldine said, “It was very hard, firstly, because we didn’t know much about the treatment; it was all new.
“Secondly, my husband, Noel, stayed at home in Ireland with our two kids.
“We were back and forth because we wanted to be with them.”
Rachel underwent intra-arterial chemotherapy twice, three chemotherapy injections into her eye, and laser surgery 12 times.
She said: “Six days later, we were in Birmingham Children’s Hospital, where we met the specialist retinoblastoma team.
“Rachel’s eye was saved but she does have vision loss in that eye. Her vision loss has not affected her as she has excellent vision in the other eye.
“Rachel is aged seven now in great form, finished all her treatment, and was discharged from the UK in August.
“She will have her check-ups in Dublin now. Rachel is a loving, caring girl, and she’s full of fun.
“She liked the VIP treatment she received while flying over and back to England.
“We took 44 flights in total, and the Aer Lingus crew were amazing, fast-tracking Rachel through the airport.”
Richard Ashton, Chief Executive of CHECT, said: “Retinoblastoma is rare, with around one baby or young child being diagnosed in the UK each week.
“Symptoms can be quite subtle, and children often seem well in themselves, which can make it hard to diagnose.
“In just under half of all cases, a child must have an eye removed as part of their treatment.”
“We are grateful that in Rachel’s case, her symptoms were recognized during her eye examination so that she could receive treatment.”
Produced in association with SWNS Talker
