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Marcia Sinclair had never had a mammogram and then she was diagnosed with breast cancer. Now, she tells all women, young and old, to get regular mammograms.
“When I got breast cancer, I’d never been for a mammogram because I’d been put off after hearing about the experiences of some other women so I was devastated when I was first diagnosed. Now, I tell every woman to get a regular mammogram – it could save your life,” she says.
The 71-year-old breast cancer survivor was first diagnosed nearly 20 years ago after discovering a small lump in her breast about the size of the pea.
BCAC is blown away by the efforts of Azia Tua who vowed to shave off her hair once she raised more than $1,000 for us in memory of her Aunty who died of breast cancer in 2010.
The 32-year-old set up a facebook page and asked people to donate to BCAC - in return she would shave her hair off. Last week it all came off!
The mum-of-two says she’d do anything to help provide support for the breast cancer cause.
“The main reason for me doing this was my Aunty Elma. Sadly, we lost her to breast cancer in April 2010 and later that year my mother was diagnosed with breast cancer as well,” Azia says.
Following her usual free mammogram in January 2012, Nell Rowarth was given the all clear. However, a note accompanied her results which read “check in one year to be safe.”
A year later Nell received a reminder notice for another mammogram and, as a full-time teacher aide, waited until the school holidays in May to make the appointment.
This time things went differently. Following the mammogram and then a biopsy Nell, then aged 59, was diagnosed with breast cancer.
She didn’t hesitate when it came to her treatment. She immediately had the recommended lumpectomy and this was followed by chemotherapy and radiation.
The experience has prompted the Papamoa woman to speak out in support of Breast Cancer Aotearoa Coalition (BCAC).
BCAC is thrilled at the results of a New Zealand study that found a special silicone dressing can help to dramatically reduce skin damage during radiation therapy for breast cancer.
The research, carried out by the Department of Radiotherapy at the University of Otago, has found that placing a special silicone film called Mepitel Film over the area to be irradiated can reduce skin reactions to radiation therapy by more than 90 per cent.
Dry, red and burnt skin is a common side effect of radiation therapy and in some women this can develop into a weeping wound known as "moist desquamation".
Judith Turner had her very last free mammogram when she was 69 and that mammogram picked up breast cancer.
The 71-year-old was diagnosed in February last year and she was immediately scheduled for a mastectomy.
The Northland woman coped well with the surgery, but a mere seven-months later she noticed a lump in her other breast and immediately sought medical advice.
“I felt this lump and I thought that’s strange and it’s sore, so I saw my GP and I had another mammogram and it was Grade 3 cancer so I had another mastectomy. I went in before Christmas and I was lucky enough to be discharged on Christmas Day,” Judith says.
She was offered chemotherapy and says she didn’t hesitate to say yes to the treatment.
The day after Emma Crowley had organised a fundraising morning tea for a breast cancer charity, the then-24-year-old discovered a lump under her arm.
She asked a friend for advice. They both thought it was probably swollen glands or some other innocent explanation, but Emma went to her GP to get it checked out.
Her GP referred her for an ultrasound, which led to a biopsy and four days later Emma was called to come in and speak with her doctor.
The Human Resources Executive for law firm, Baldwins, was in Wellington for work and told her doctor she couldn’t come in for a few days.
Ally Armstrong was 47 when she was called up to have a routine mammogram as part of the BreastScreen Aotearoa free screening programme for women aged 45 to 69.
Ally duly went for her mammogram, but was asked to come back for a follow-up mammogram and a biopsy.
This didn’t raise a red flag for the Hamilton mother-of-six, who had found a lump in her breast several years earlier which turned out to be nothing.
But that all changed when she was called in for her results.
As part of this year's BCAC fundraiser, Show Your Heart for Women Living with Breast Cancer, you can be in to win a beautifully designed ceramic plate and a delicious hamper of Arnott's Tim Tam products.
The limited edition plate has been designed by renowned printmaker, Penny Stotter, who is thrilled to be joining forces with BCAC to help support Kiwi women with breast cancer.
Says Penny of her design: "To me this imagery represents some of the qualities I most admire in New Zealand women: femininity, grace, joyfulness and a sense of feeling supported and connected.”
