Woman given months to live with incurable cancer thought symptoms were 'Mounjaro side effect'
A woman has revealed she's been given months to live after suffering from symptoms she thought was related to the weight loss drug, Mounjaro.
Dawn Clegg, 51, was diagnosed with the UK's rarest cancer after she went to A&E with chest pains earlier this year.
Dawn had a number of different scans, during which doctors found sarcoma on her lung.
Dawn's husband, Arron Clegg, also 51, explained that Dawn has been given less than a year to live, and is now planning on holding a 'living wake'.
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"She went to Lancaster Hospital A&E at the end of March with chest pains which she thought were a side effect of Mounjaro which she was taking to help with her diabetes," he said.
"X rays showed shadows on lung, kidney and breast. We were devastated on hearing news of cancer in three areas - there is no cure and she is now terminal.
"The wake will mean she can spend quality time with friends and family whilst still alive rather than after the funeral that way she can see how much people care about her."
Dawn had been taking Mounjaro to help with her diabetes, when she began experiencing the symptoms.
The GLP-1 medication, which was primarily designed as a treatment for those with Type-2 diabetes, works by mimicking a hormone within the body which produces insulin, working to reduce appetite, reduce blood sugar and make users feel fuller for longer.
Sarcoma refers to a number of different cancers that begin in the bones and soft tissues, including muscle, fat, blood vessels, nerves and tendons.
"The doctors don't even know what type of sarcoma it is four months later," said Arron.
"Sarcoma makes one percent of known cancers and on top of that there are over 100 sarcomas so finding right treatment is extremely hard. She is now terminal and there is a high chance she won't make her 52nd birthday next year."
Although Dawn started undergoing chemotherapy treatment in Liverpool, Arron has said there is 'more chance of it not working than slowing it down'.
"Dawn means the world to me," he said.
"We went to school together and started dating after we found each other years later and have been married nearly 10 years.
“Dawn is an amazing person; not very patient and yet with this illness she has surprised us both with her patience whilst they tried to find a treatment.
"She is the best person I ever knew and the wake will mean the world to her."
Arron explained that when the time comes, Dawn will be laid to rest near her late daughter, Isobel, who died during childbirth.
Dawn is also mum to son, George, 19, who is currently at university.
The family have set up a GoFundMe to help pay for the costs of the wake and funeral, which you can visit here.
In a comment, Mounjaro manufacturer Eli Lilly said: "Mounjaro (tirzepatide) should only be used when prescribed by a licensed healthcare professional, and prescriptions should be fulfilled and supplied by registered pharmacies or providers.
"We encourage patients to consult their doctor or other healthcare professional to discuss any possible side effects they may be experiencing and to ensure that they are getting genuine Lilly medicine."
If you’ve been affected by any of these issues and want to speak to someone in confidence, contact Macmillan’s Cancer Support Line on 0808 808 00 00, 8am–8pm seven days a week.
Lucy Devine