Prioritising your health during the COVID-19 pandemic

51-year-old Carmel was diagnosed with breast cancer in December of 2019, after finding a suspicious lump in her breast while on an overseas trip for three weeks with her girlfriends in New York and Hawaii.

“I was trying on a cossie in Hawaii for the first time in a long time and noticed a lump that didn’t feel right. It seemed like it was on the inside behind my nipple, whereas I always checked the outside for lumps during self-examinations. I knew I was overdue for a mammogram, but didn’t think a great deal of it while I was away. When I got back I visited my GP who immediately referred me to get it checked out, and a week later I was diagnosed with Stage II breast cancer,” Carmel said.

Although the news came as a shock, Carmel tried to focus on staying positive to get her through the treatment ahead.

“When I finished treatment, the team were wonderful and all clapped for me. I wasn’t able to ring the bell to celebrate because of COVID-19, but they made it special regardless.”

She is now focused on prioritising her health and preparing for her reconstructive surgery in April of 2021.

“This was a major wake up call for me. Now my outlook is focused on improving my health and doing what I keep saying I’m going to do, which is getting back in shape. I want to be a thriver, not just a survivor.”

Looking back on her cancer journey, Carmel urges women to take charge of their health and do everything they can to detect cancer at an early stage.

“I was one of those people who put off mammograms and checks. I thought if it’s not in my family, it won’t happen to me, but if I was diagnosed earlier my cancer may not have been as big as it was. To be on the safe side, it’s so important to receive your mammogram if you’re over 50, perform your regular breast self-examinations and if you notice anything concerning, go straight away to see your doctor.”