The 55-year-old mother of three had no symptoms in the lead-up to her diagnosis.
“Two weeks after I had the mammogram they called me back in to have another scan on my right breast as the mammogram had picked up a mass,” says Cynthia.
Lymphoedema screening service provides peace of mind for Cynthia
Capalaba local, Cynthia Lacco was diagnosed with breast cancer in May 2022, following a routine mammogram.
“I had an ultrasound and then a biopsy. I was told that it was an irregular shape and even though they had to wait for the biopsy results to come back, it was most likely cancer.
“That was a shock to the system. Hearing you have cancer is pretty scary.”
When the biopsy confirmed a triple negative breast cancer diagnosis, Cynthia was booked in for surgery.
During the surgery, it was discovered Cynthia’s cancer had spread further than the breast.
She then endured 11 rounds of chemotherapy last year.
And on 6 February this year, she started radiation therapy at Icon Cancer Centre Redland.
Cynthia is currently midway through her 25 sessions of radiation therapy.
“The team at Icon Redland have been wonderful. I feel like a celebrity when I come in each day for radiation therapy. Everyone knows my name and they are so friendly,” says Cynthia.
“It’s only 15 minutes from home and it saves me the hassle of having to travel into the city each day for treatment.”
Cynthia is now having regular lymphoedema scans at Icon Redland as part of her treatment and plans to continue regular screening post-treatment.
“The staff here at Icon have told me a lot about lymphoedema and given me daily exercises to follow, to reduce my risk of developing it,” says Cynthia.
“The risk of developing lymphoedema is certainly in the back of my mind.
“Going through cancer treatment is tough enough, without a lymphoedema diagnosis, so I really want to do what I can to avoid it.
“The SOZO scan is really simply and doesn’t take long. I will have them done every six months but the team (as Icon Redland) have told me I can come in more often for peace of mind.”
An avid ten pin bowler, Cynthia is looking forward to getting back into the sport she has had to put on hold for the past eight months while undergoing treatment.
“I’ve missed it,” says Cynthia.
“And my physiotherapist has told me the movements used in ten pin bowling will help in reducing my chances of developing lymphoedema, which is a bonus.”
For more information about lymphoedema,
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Lymphoedema screening
Understanding lymphoedema, its causes and how to self-manage the condition helps you take control.
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