Child's aggressive cancer spotted in a photo sent to a friend

Aug 27 2008

A baby girl's photograph shown online to a friend of her mother has led to the child being diagnosed with a cancerous tumour.

An online chat between friends Madeleine Robb, 32, from Manchester in the UK and Megan Santos, 32, from Tampa, Florida, included pictures of her one-year-old daughter, Rowan Santos.

Mrs Robb, a Manchester business analyst with no medical training, spotted a white shadow behind one of the child’s eyes which concerned her, so she followed this up by an internet search which suggested that it could be the early sign of retinoblastoma.

She told Mrs Santos and the suspicion proved to correct - Rowan was diagnosed with the aggressive form of cancer, underwent surgery and is now receiving chemotherapy.

Mrs Santos says if Madeleine had not sent the e-mail, Rowan’s prognosis would not be as good as it is, as even a week later meant the tumour could have reached her child's brain.

The two mothers became friends on an internet messageboard after their children were born on the same day and Mrs Robb says when she saw the pictures she knew something was wrong as the eye was reflecting a light in every picture.

The e-mail was sent saying it was important the eye was checked and the child was taken immediately to the doctor where her condition was diagnosed.

Experts say the rare cancer retinoblastoma often only shows up in photographs in its early stages.

While Rowan will lose her eye, doctors say her chances of survival are much greater thanks to the early diagnosis.

Mrs Santos said she will never be able to thank her friend enough.