- Mothers diagnosed with cancer during or after pregnancy say they are spending their maternity leave undergoing life-saving treatment instead of bonding with their babies.
- Anna Priest, a mother of three, shared her experience of battling breast cancer during her maternity leave, highlighting the emotional, physical, and financial struggles caused by the inability to defer it.
- According to the charity Mummy's Star, at least two women in the UK are diagnosed with cancer daily during or around pregnancy, with 94 per cent of surveyed mothers reporting disrupted maternity leave.
- The #SaveOurBond campaign is urging the government to allow maternity leave to be deferred until cancer treatment has finished, suggesting women automatically go on sick leave during treatment.
- A UK government spokesperson said they are exploring how to better support working families through a parental leave review.
IN FULL
