OCTOBER is Breast Cancer Awareness month, an annual campaign to increase awareness of this disease.
Swan Hill District Health (SHDH) wishes to remind the community of the importance of getting screened as early detection provides the best chance of survival.
That is why we advocate to be breast aware with the these three key actions:
LOOK at the shape and appearance of your breasts; FEEL all of your breasts and nipples; and LEARN what is normal for you.
If you notice any changes, see your GP.
You can also reach out to our local McGrath Breast Care Nursing Service for support and general information, by contacting Leanne Bibby on (03) 5033 9202.
Based on research from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare in 2020, 19,866 women and 164 men are expected to be diagnosed with breast cancer in Australia this year.
However, the five-year survival rate has increased from 76% to 91% since 1994 for those aged 50-74, thanks to research and early detection.
Routine screening for those aged 40 years and over can be accessed at Breast Screen sites around Victoria/NSW with the mobile service due in Swan Hill in 2022.
The importance of screening mammograms is highlighted in the following story:
“My name is Loretta Belton.
“Some of you may know me as one of the original founders of the Swan Hill Hospice Committee.
“I campaigned back then that illness does not discriminate and now, I share my own journey of being diagnosed with breast cancer in July 2019.
“My cancer was Stage 1 Grade 4 Hormone Positive Ductal Breast Cancer.
“What that means is it was small and nasty, and I had absolutely no idea as it was growing deep in my breast.
“I was a regular visitor of the Boob Bus that comes to Swan Hill every second year, and because of my family history I was put on yearly mammograms.
“In 2019, it wasn’t the Bus’s year to visit Swan Hill, so I had to go to Bendigo Breast Screen Clinic.
“Like most people I received the reminder letter in April, but didn’t get around to doing it until July.
“Life was just too busy but cancer doesn’t wait until we make the time.
“But when you have a cancer diagnosis, you need to prepare yourself for 12 months of appointments.
“I was aware of this from my mother and brother both having cancer in the past, but still I was not prepared enough.
“After my mammogram I was called back to Bendigo to have a biopsy done and returned a week later for the results.
“I was told mine would be a relatively easy cancer to treat – remove the lump, check the lymph nodes and possibly some radiotherapy.
“Boy, was that an understatement!
“In August 2019, I had my first operation in Bendigo to have the lump removed and check the lymph nodes, and returned a week later to be told that the margins had not cleared and I would need more surgery.
“My second surgery also failed to return clear margins so I was referred to the Oncology Department to discuss my options and chemotherapy plan.
“In October, I started chemotherapy and shortly after I was admitted to Bendigo Health with complications from the treatment.
“I was in hospital for five days, and it was two weeks after my first dose that I lost my hair.
“I had my second dose of chemotherapy at the unit at SHDH, again resulting in complications.
“The dosage of my chemotherapy was adjusted to attempt to keep me from having to return to hospital, but by my third dose, I felt unwell but was thankfully able to manage it at home.
“I had a surgical review in December to request that I have a double mastectomy.
“I found the wait during this time very overwhelming but returned a week later to receive the news that they would perform the operation.
“I had a bilateral mastectomy and reconstruction surgery in February 2020 – it was a mammoth 10.5 hour operation, my third operation since my diagnosis.
“My fourth operation soon followed after my wounds got infected and multiple operations followed until the infection came under control.
“It was during this time that COVID-19 had hit Australia and hospital stays and visitation had changed completely.
“I stayed in Melbourne for three weeks by myself then was transferred back to SHDH until I was able to do the Hospital at Home program with them, allowing me to stay home with my family.
“I had my children around me all the time and truly believe the best medicine is to be surrounded by those you love.
“The support of the McGrath Breast Care nurses through my entire journey was pivotal, and I was very lucky to have one at each hospital supporting me in my journey, setting up appointments and advocating for me and the decisions I made.
“I am one of the lucky ones to have survived my journey as there have been many I have met along the way that are sadly no longer with us or are still fighting.
“I don’t even want to think about where I would be if I had delayed my treatment and I encourage everyone not to put off their regular screenings and follow up anything that is concerning to them.”
