Pregnant cancer patient puts off treatment to save baby's life, refuses to consider abortion

When faced with a decision to either receive the best-possible cancer treatment or terminate her pregnancy, an England woman placed her baby's life first.

When did this happen?

The heroic decision was chronicled during a recent episode of "Hospital" on BBC Two, the Daily Mail reported. The program offers a behind-the-scenes glimpse of England's National Health Service.

On Thursday, the show followed staff and patients at Liverpool Women's Hospital. That's where a story emerged about a pregnant woman identified only as "Kate," who was given a life-altering diagnosis: Her breast cancer returned and spread to her bones.

This time around, doctors said, the cancer is incurable.

In about one-third of breast cancer patients, the cancer will return in another part of the body within 10 years, according to the report. When that happens, treatment is often unsuccessful.

Kate was first diagnosed with cancer in her 20s and had both of her breasts removed in 2008. She and her husband, Glen, waited more than five years to have their second child so Kate could finish treatments designed to prevent the cancer from returning, according to the report.

Their daughter, Katie-Hope, was delivered by cesarean section six weeks early so Kate can undergo radiation treatment to stave off the cancer.

What is the contrast?

The heart-wrenching story arrives as the U.S. is caught in a firestorm over New York State's announcement that it will allow abortions up until a baby is born. Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed the New York's Reproductive Health Act, on Jan. 22, the 46^th anniversary of Roe V. Wade.

Supporters claim the law is intended offer protection is a woman's health is at risk. But the measure also moved the abortion law "from the state's penal code to its health code," which eliminates the chance for doctors and others to face prosecution, according to Newsday.

Backlash was swift and plentiful, as the new law was called "indefensible," Satanic, and "evil codified," among other things.

Kate, on the other hand, was praised by viewers on Twitter for thinking of her baby before herself.

"Tonight we witnessed just how powerful a mother's love can be," one Twitter user wrote.

So moved by tonight's episode and full of admiration for the entire hospital team. Tonight we witnessed just how powerful a mother's love can be. I wish Kate and her family lots of love, and also love to the other women who allowed their stories to be shared. 💕 #hospital
— Juliet McKee Photo (@JulietMckee) January 24, 2019

Doctors are not certain how long Kate has left to live.