Breast cancer in pregnancy: graduate’s project receives national recognition

Megan Blunden was shortlisted for a national Student Nursing Times Award

Breast cancer in pregnancy: graduate’s project receives national recognition

Megan Blunden was shortlisted for a national Student Nursing Times Award

5 May 2026

A �鶹�ƽ�� graduate has received national recognition for a project to raise awareness around the symptoms of breast cancer in pregnancy.

Megan Blunden was shortlisted for a Student Nursing Times Award for her work to raise awareness of the condition in pregnancy, after supporting a woman undergoing treatment for pregnancy-associate breast cancer during her first year.

Angela Thompson and Megan Blunden at the Student Nursing Times Awards 2026

What started out as a seedling idea and undergraduate project with is now making its way into practice; with Megan ensuring local pregnant women in �鶹�ƽ�� receive a leaflet on how to spot the signs in pregnancy, with further plans afoot to involve a QR code and quick links online.

Megan, who graduated in 2025 and was nominated in the Student Innovation in Practice category, explains her inspiration:

As a first-year student I had the privilege of supporting a woman who was undergoing treatment for pregnancy-associated breast cancer.

While the medical care she received was outstanding, I realised we were missing a vital component of midwifery advocacy as the department lacked the informational resources needed to give women the confidence and knowledge to monitor their breast health effectively during pregnancy.

This gap is particularly critical when you consider the statistics.

Breast cancer remains the most common malignancy in the UK, and between 2020 and 2022, 25 women died due to pregnancy-associated breast cancer, 15 of whom were diagnosed while still pregnant.

While the incidence is rare, it is disproportionately found at an advanced stage. This is largely because the physiological changes of pregnancy can easily mask the signs and symptoms of cancer, making it difficult for both the woman and the clinician to distinguish between what is physiological and what is concerning.

To me, midwifery isn’t simply about providing clinical safety; it is about ensuring that women feel empowered, heard, and profoundly respected within their own bodies during one of the most vulnerable and transformative moments of their lives.

To have the privilege to be part of the pregnancy journey, to advocate for women and to welcome new life into this world, felt like a natural career path for me, and I was so pleased so have been nominated for the award.

Megan added:

"The comprehensive midwifery programme at the �鶹�ƽ�� provided a framework for interprofessional learning, ensuring that my clinical knowledge was always supported by a collaborative approach to patient safety. Alongside this, the advanced simulation training facilities encouraged high-quality clinical skills development and bridged the gap between theory and practice.
"However, what truly set my experience apart was the supportive leadership from the midwifery faculty.
"Having access to mentors who have invested in my personal growth has given me the confidence to thrive in my role as a newly qualified midwife.”

Child nursing skills session. Nursing and midwifery facilities

Megan is passionate about her subject and produced an outstanding undergraduate quality improvement proposal to integrate education and awareness into practice in the NHS.

Since qualifying Megan has worked diligently to integrate her project into practice, and it’s absolutely fantastic to see her recognised for her hard work locally and nationally.

Mrs Angela Thompson
Lecturer in Midwifery

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