Rebecca Vanson thanks her intuition for saving her life.
After discovering a lump in her breast and beating cancer, she’s urging women to trust their judgment and always seek a second opinion.
Next Monday is the Cancer Council’s Pink Ribbon Day, when people are asked to support the one in eight women who will be diagnosed with breast cancer by the age of 85.
Mrs Vanson (pictured with son Lochie and daughter Rebecca) says she wanted to share her experience to highlight the importance of early detection.
“I found a small lump as I constantly checked myself because I didn’t feel right,” says the former Melton resident, who now lives in Bacchus Marsh. “It was like I knew I had breast cancer but never thought it could happen to me.”
In 2007, the mother of three had returned to work after maternity leave and was initially told the lump was mastitis.
When a course of antibiotics proved to be of no use, she had an ultrasound. But it wasn’t until a few months later, after another ultrasound, a mammogram and a biopsy, that a diagnosis of breast cancer was confirmed.
After seeing a “whirlwind of doctors” she had chemotherapy. “I think I coped OK, but looking back I hope I never have to endure chemo again.”
Radiotherapy followed before she received news that the cancer was under control.
Mrs Vanson says she couldn’t have coped without the support of family and friends.
“People say ‘make the most of life’ and ‘this must be a wake-up call’, but when I was going through treatment, I was so angry with life for doing this to me. Losing my hair was harder than losing a breast and until you are the person who goes through it, it is hard to imagine.”
In remission, Mrs Vanson says she’s thrilled to be learning to live free of cancer.
She urged all women to check their breasts regularly. “It only takes a short time to check yourself and it could be those five minutes that save your life.”
