Mum who treated breast cancer with cheap home remedies left with giant tumour
The mum-of-four attempted to cure her cancer with herbal drinks and topical remedies because she is unable to pay for hospital treatment
A poverty-stricken mum-of-four has been ravaged by breast cancer after trying to treat the disease with cheap home remedies.
Christina Ombao, 39, was diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer in 2016 after a lump became painful.
After the diagnosis, Christina’s family were unable to pay the costs of hospital treatment in Sagay City, Philippines , and she decided to stay at home where she used herbal drinks and topical remedies.
Sadly, her condition has worsened. The tumour has eaten away all of her breast tissue and broken through her skin before ballooning to the size of her head.
Christina explained she had chosen to prioritise her children over her health.
She said: “We didn't have enough money for treatment. I had a two-year-old baby at that time.
“All of my time was taken up caring for the baby and the other children. We had not a penny spare to even pay for travelling to the hospital.
“Yes, now I'm in pain. It's uncomfortable and prevents me from sleeping.”
Pictures of Christina taken this month show her using a make-shift wire frame to try protect the exposed tissue.
Her physical health quickly deteriorated and she had to leave her job as a nanny.
Her husband, Alberto Cabilin, who works in the construction industry, now cares for her with their four children aged six, eight, 10 and 11.
Christina believes she could have developed a cancerous lump while at work during an accident. She added: ''I used to be a nanny.
There was one time, my breast was hit accidentally while playing with the child I was taking care of.
I believe that is what caused this.'' Friends and family raised money earlier this month to pay for Christina to visit the hospital, which is several hours from their remote home.
The family are now awaiting the hospital results.
The mum-of-four attempted to cure her cancer with herbal drinks and topical remedies because she is unable to pay for hospital treatment
A poverty-stricken mum-of-four has been ravaged by breast cancer after trying to treat the disease with cheap home remedies.
Christina Ombao, 39, was diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer in 2016 after a lump became painful.
After the diagnosis, Christina’s family were unable to pay the costs of hospital treatment in Sagay City, Philippines , and she decided to stay at home where she used herbal drinks and topical remedies.
Sadly, her condition has worsened. The tumour has eaten away all of her breast tissue and broken through her skin before ballooning to the size of her head.
Christina explained she had chosen to prioritise her children over her health.
She said: “We didn't have enough money for treatment. I had a two-year-old baby at that time.
“All of my time was taken up caring for the baby and the other children. We had not a penny spare to even pay for travelling to the hospital.
“Yes, now I'm in pain. It's uncomfortable and prevents me from sleeping.”
Pictures of Christina taken this month show her using a make-shift wire frame to try protect the exposed tissue.
Her physical health quickly deteriorated and she had to leave her job as a nanny.
Her husband, Alberto Cabilin, who works in the construction industry, now cares for her with their four children aged six, eight, 10 and 11.
Christina believes she could have developed a cancerous lump while at work during an accident. She added: ''I used to be a nanny.
There was one time, my breast was hit accidentally while playing with the child I was taking care of.
I believe that is what caused this.'' Friends and family raised money earlier this month to pay for Christina to visit the hospital, which is several hours from their remote home.
The family are now awaiting the hospital results.
