12-year-old girl dies of rare cancer—parents noticed worrying sign as she brushed teeth

“We Noticed a Lump as She Brushed Her Teeth” — The Life and Loss of 12‑Year‑Old Beth and the Fight Against Rare Childhood Cancer

By [Your Name], Special Correspondent

On an ordinary evening in early December 2020, parents Aby and Ben Phelps were quietly getting their daughter ready for bed. Beth, just 11 years old at the time, was brushing her teeth — a mundane, everyday moment shared by families all over the world — when her parents noticed something unusual: a firm lump beneath her shoulder blade that hadn’t been there the night before.

That small, unexpected bump was the first sign of a devastating journey that would unfold over the next two years — a battle with one of the rarest and most aggressive forms of cancer that can affect children: Ewing sarcoma. By October 2022, just 12 days before her 13th birthday, Beth lost her life.

This is the story of Beth’s life, her family’s and medical journey, what Ewing sarcoma is, and why her case has touched countless people around the world while reminding us all how important awareness and research are for rare childhood cancers.

From Normal Childhood to Devastating Diagnosis

Beth Phelps was described by her family as “funny, quick‑witted, caring, and beautiful” — a vibrant girl who loved her friends, her cat Monkey, her favorite teddy bear Lamy, gaming with friends, and all the simple joys of childhood.

In December 2020, her parents noticed a lump the size of roughly half a golf ball under her T‑shirt while she was brushing her teeth — something that seemed insignificant at first but sparked immediate concern once they saw its size and sudden appearance.

Although they initially assumed it might be a harmless cyst or swelling, the lump prompted an immediate medical evaluation. When tests, including a CT, X‑ray and MRI, were conducted at Jersey General Hospital, doctors delivered shocking news: suspected cancer. Further evaluation confirmed that the lump was not benign — it was a tumour consistent with Ewing sarcoma, a rare and aggressive bone cancer.

What Is Ewing Sarcoma? A Rare and Aggressive Disease

Ewing sarcoma is a type of cancer that typically arises from bones or the soft tissue surrounding bones. It most often appears in children and young adults, particularly affecting teenagers and young adults aged 10–20. However, like in Beth’s case, it can also occur in younger children.

Because it is rare and its early symptoms can be subtle or resemble ordinary growing pains or minor injuries, Ewing sarcoma is often not immediately recognised — a fact that makes early detection particularly challenging and underscores the importance of vigilance when parents observe anything unusual in their children.

In many cases, pain in a bone or limb, unexplained lumps or swelling, persistent discomfort, or visible masses are among the first signs that something more serious could be happening. Because many of these signs can also occur in normal childhood growth or minor injury, awareness becomes critical.

The Battle Begins: Treatment and Hope

Once diagnosed, Beth’s treatment began immediately. She was referred to specialist care, which included complex and gruelling interventions:

Chemotherapy

Beth received multiple rounds of intense chemotherapy. Chemotherapy forms the cornerstone of Ewing sarcoma treatment and is aimed at killing cancer cells throughout the body and reducing tumour size. It can also help decrease the risk of spread to distant organs.

Surgery

Continue reading…