Werribee’s Brooke Payne was just 36 years old and a mother to three young children when she was diagnosed with breast cancer.
Only a year or two earlier, Brooke’s mother-in-law, Hazel, was also diagnosed with breast cancer.
Brooke said that after experiencing chest pains for about six months, she made a GP appointment after finding a lump around the size of a golf ball in her breast.
She described feeling “in shock” after being diagnosed.
Brooke, now 38, said that Hazel was “a massive help” at this time, referring her to doctors and accompanying her to medical appointments.
While undergoing a course of chemotherapy, an operation and radiotherapy, Brooke kept her husband Gareth and their children Harry, Jude and Ivy – who are now aged 11, 10 and seven-and-a-half, respectively – foremost in her thoughts.
Brooke said that while chemotherapy was not as bad as she feared it might be, the tiredness she experienced was the greatest challenge.
“For six months I was exhausted every day, which has lingered but it is still getting better,” she said.
“The fatigue, trying to be a mum operating day-to-day basis, when all I wanted to do was sleep.”
Brooke said that her friends and family were “amazing” during her medical treatment, dropping off meals and sending her messages of support.
One of her treatments was not included in the PBS, so a friend set a GoFundMe age which raised around $24,000 to cover the cost.
Brooke is now reaching the end of her treatment and waiting for her second reconstruction surgery.
With Breast Cancer Awareness Month falling in October, Brooke said she would encourage women and men of all ages to be aware of breast cancer.
“Because you are young, don’t think it won’t happen – it may not, but it could,” she said.
The McGrath Foundation is reminding people to regularly conduct the three-step “Look, Feel, Learn” test on their own breasts.
“It’s so important that if you find a lump or notice any changes to your breasts that you seek medical attention straight away,” foundation chief executive Holly Masters said.
Details: mcgrathfoundation.com.au/breastawareness
