Marie's Story

Screening Really Does Make a Difference

I am a 78 year old grandmother of 10, living in Scone NSW. Breast cancer first entered my life in 1996 when my daughter Kerry, then 37, was diagnosed with breast cancer. 

Little did I know that this would be only the first step in our family’s encounters with breast cancer. Three years later in 1999 I had a regular screening mammogram at BreastScreen, and to my surprise, was recalled. I was diagnosed with early stage breast cancer and had a lumpectomy in December 1999. 

Kerry brought me to Sydney to her doctors for further treatment. It was decided that I needed radiotherapy so I stayed in Sydney with my daughter and had my treatment at the Westmead Breast Clinic. My other daughter, Wendy was getting married, so my doctor kindly arranged for me to have my radiotherapy more intensively over a shorter time period so that I could be home before the wedding. 

When I think back to that time I realize that I was much more upset about my daughter’s diagnosis than my own. Her breast cancer came out of the blue, she was so young, and we were moving into uncharted waters. When I was diagnosed we knew we had been there before, and that I could beat it as my daughter had done. We knew what to expect, were more informed and were grateful that the breast cancer had been diagnosed early through Breast Screening, giving me the greatest chance of beating it. 

In mid 2006, 12 months after my husband passed away, I was diagnosed with breast cancer for the second time, in the other breast. 

I was having annual check-ups because of the previous breast cancer, and a digital mammogram at the Westmead Breast Clinic picked up something the size of a grain of rice. It was a small invasive breast cancer. Again I had a lumpectomy followed by radiotherapy, and another extended holiday at my daughter’s house while I attended radiotherapy appointments. 

Being diagnosed with breast cancer never phased me that much. I was always positive that everything was going to be alright. I didn’t dwell on it too much and the comforting knowledge that both times my cancer had been diagnosed in its early stages was always with me. The fact that my daughter had been there before me, and was there to support me now, paved the way and removed the fear. 

My daughters and I are well. The Westmead Hospital Familial Cancer Service recommended that we undergo genetic testing due to the family history (Kerry’s young age and the fact that I have had breast cancer in both breasts) Kerry has undergone genetic testing, and no positive genes have been found. As a family, we will continue to be vigilant about breast health. 

The Westmead Breast Cancer Institute publishes various information brochures about different aspects of breast cancer and its treatment. Two of these, Family History of Breast Cancer and Managing Your Risk of Breast and Ovarian Cancer are relevant to this story. They are available online.

Last Updated on Thursday, 30 June 2011 16:29