11-year-old experiences symptoms of cancer found in twin sister months later

Identical twins are known to share a lot more than just their facial features, as many have been seen to have similar behaviour and personalities. But can a twin experience the sibling’s pain when the other is suffering from a disorder?

Megan and Sophie Walker have been inseparable as they have matching tastes, same grades and finish each other’s sentences. But as Megan lost weight and complained of exhaustion, Sophie was doing fine.

Despite carrying out x-rays, ultrasound and MRI scans, doctors were unable to figure out what was wrong with the 11-year-old. They eventually found out that Megan was experiencing symptoms associated with a cancer that Sophie had as both went from weighing 40 kg to 35 kg.

It was discovered that Sophie had a Wilms’ tumour on her kidney which affects 70 children in the UK every year. Megan asked her mother to cut her locks short to support her sister who was worried about losing her hair while undergoing treatment.

Sophie had the tumour removed along with the left kidney in December and will undergo chemotherapy till June. An expert suggested it is common for one of the siblings to become a caretaker twin.