Roy Suryo
A Nottinghamshire woman has credited the weight-loss jab Mounjaro with saving her life after it led to the discovery of stage two breast cancer. Rebecca Combellack, 37, from Sutton Bonington, found a small lump in her breast in May 2025, shortly after losing over two stone in weight. Doctors later informed her that her weight loss was crucial in detecting the fast-acting cancer, as she would have had a harder time feeling the lump if she had remained heavier. The timely diagnosis, facilitated by the significant weight reduction achieved through Mounjaro, meant that the cancer was caught early, preventing a potentially much worse outcome.
Rebecca began taking Mounjaro, a GLP-1 medication, in April 2025. Her decision to seek medical assistance for her weight stemmed from an unexpected moment during a skiing holiday. While measuring for ski boots and equipment, she realised she weighed the same as her husband, prompting her to make a conscious effort to shed the excess pounds. Within two months, her dedication paid off as she lost over two stone (12.7kg). However, this significant weight loss also led to the discovery of a small, deep lump in her rib cage. Following scans and biopsies, Rebecca received the devastating diagnosis of oestrogen receptor-positive breast cancer just a week and a half later. "I went from feeling great from losing weight to ‘oh God, I’ve got cancer’," she recalled, describing the shock and disbelief that followed the "three words" that "really do shake you up." The experience felt surreal, like a "bad dream."
Mounjaro, also known as tirzepatide, is a dual glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist. It is primarily prescribed to aid in weight management for individuals with obesity or who are overweight and have at least one weight-related comorbidity, such as type 2 diabetes, hypertension, or dyslipidemia. The medication works by mimicking the effects of natural hormones that regulate appetite and blood sugar, leading to a reduction in food intake and improved metabolic control. While highly effective for weight loss, Mounjaro, like all medications, can have side effects. The most common ones reported include nausea, vomiting, bloating, constipation, and diarrhoea. Less frequently, individuals may experience hair loss. In rarer cases, more serious side effects such as gallbladder problems, kidney issues, and depression have been reported. Rebecca’s experience highlights an unexpected, yet life-saving, consequence of using the medication.
Following her diagnosis, Rebecca underwent surgery to remove the cancerous lump. She commenced chemotherapy in August 2025, a rigorous treatment plan she has approached with remarkable resilience and a determination to maintain normalcy. "I’ve just tried to see this as another challenge that’s added to our normal life," she stated. "We’ve just continued with life, hobbies, kids as normal." Her commitment to her work as a design and marketing business owner has also been a source of strength. She has continued to work throughout her treatment, viewing it as a vital part of her coping mechanism and a way to maintain a sense of purpose and routine.
Rebecca and her husband, Richard Combellack, 44, have channelled their energy into charity work, finding it a powerful way to navigate this difficult period. Richard, a passionate ice hockey player for the Nottingham Knights, organised a charity match at Nottingham’s Motorpoint Arena on Sunday. The event aimed to raise vital funds for Breast Cancer Now and CoppaFeel, charities dedicated to breast cancer awareness, research, and support. The couple have already managed to raise tens of thousands of pounds through their fundraising efforts, selling an impressive 2,000 tickets for the charity match alone. Richard expressed his deep-seated desire to prevent others from enduring similar experiences. "We just don’t want anyone to have to go through this type of cancer," he stated. "She has to be on a hormone blocker for the rest of her life, which brings on early menopause, meaning we can’t have any more kids. The menopause will have to be cold turkey because she can’t have any hormones like HRT. It’s so tough, but she’s coped extremely well."
The implications of Rebecca’s cancer treatment extend beyond the immediate. The lifelong hormone blocker therapy will induce early menopause, a significant personal challenge given the couple’s inability to have further children. The abrupt onset of menopause, without the possibility of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) due to her medical history, presents another hurdle. Despite these profound challenges, Rebecca remains steadfast in her positive outlook, finding strength in humour and the support of her husband and the wider community. "I’ve just got to carry on laughing," she declared. "It’s how we get through." Her journey underscores the complex interplay between medical interventions, personal resilience, and the profound impact of unexpected diagnoses, highlighting how a weight-loss medication inadvertently became a life-saving tool. The story serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of health awareness and the often-unforeseen pathways through which individuals discover critical health issues.
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