Imagine finding a life-saving opportunity hidden within a weight-loss journey. This is exactly what happened to Rebecca Combellack, a woman from Sutton Bonington in Nottinghamshire, who credits the weight-loss medication Mounjaro for potentially saving her life by leading to an early cancer diagnosis.
After shedding over two stone (approximately 12.7 kg) thanks to the jab, Rebecca discovered a lump in her breast in May 2025, coinciding with her recent weight loss. At only 37 years old, she was informed by her doctors that her weight loss played a crucial role in her diagnosis of stage two breast cancer. They explained that had she not lost weight, she might not have been able to feel the lump, which was aggressively growing.
Rebecca reflected on this, saying, "The cancer was fast-acting, and if I’d waited even six months longer, the situation could have turned dire."
While Mounjaro has been effective for many in managing weight, it's important to note that it comes with side effects such as nausea, vomiting, bloating, constipation, and diarrhea, with some users reporting hair loss or even more serious issues like gallbladder problems and depression.
Rebecca began her treatment with the GLP-1 medication in April 2025, following a moment during a ski trip when she realized she weighed the same as her husband after stepping on the scale to fit her ski boots. Her swift weight loss soon led to the discovery of a small lump nestled deep in her rib cage. Following scans and biopsies, she received the shocking news of her diagnosis just a week and a half later. "I went from feeling amazing about my weight loss to 'oh no, I've got cancer.' Hearing those three words truly shakes you to your core. It felt like a nightmare," she shared.
Despite the daunting news, Rebecca, who owns a design and marketing business, has approached her situation with resilience. After undergoing surgery to remove the lump, she began chemotherapy in August 2025. "I see this as just another challenge added to our life. We’ve kept our daily routines, engaged in hobbies, and focused on our children without missing a beat. I’ve continued working on my business throughout treatment; it’s how we cope," she explained.
Rebecca and her husband, Richard Combellack, age 44, have also redirected their energy towards charitable work as a means of support and motivation. Richard expressed their shared desire, stating, "We want to prevent anyone else from experiencing this type of cancer. Rebecca will need to be on a hormone blocker for the rest of her life, which induces early menopause and means we can no longer have more children. The transition into menopause will be abrupt since she cannot take hormone replacement therapy. It’s incredibly challenging, but she has managed it remarkably well."
Together, they have raised tens of thousands of pounds for organizations like Breast Cancer Now and CoppaFeel. Richard, who has a lifelong passion for ice hockey and currently competes with the Nottingham Knights, recently organized a charity match at the Motorpoint Arena in Nottingham. He emphasized the importance of their cause: "It’s heartbreaking for Bex to face this at such a young age. If our efforts can help even one person to catch this illness earlier, then we’ve succeeded. That’s why this means so much to us."
For Rebecca, maintaining a positive outlook and supporting others through their struggles has been key to enduring her intense treatment. "I just have to keep smiling and laughing; that’s how we get by," she concluded.
