Kirsten What cancer were you diagnosed with? breast cancer What age were you diagnosed? 27 What has helped you to thrive? Discovering a new version of myself in the aftermath of cancer has been the best part of my journey so far. Learning new skills and embracing a heart of adventure have been a balm in helping me heal. I now love to travel at any chance I get, as well as write and make art. I am also a nurse and having this experience with cancer has made me better at my craft. Most recently, I moved from my home in Sydney, Australia to see what it was like to live in a new place. Without a doubt, cancer is a most despicable thing to deal with, but if nothing else it has taught me courage, opened the door to living a life that feels vastly richer than before, and brought me into closer connection with my loved ones - and I am most thankful for that! Kirsten's Story It was a shock to discover the lump I found in my breast at the age of 27 was malignant. I have no family history. I was lucky to have a diligent GP who ensured I received the right investigations that led to a prompt diagnosis. Unfortunately, it is not all young women who have this experience, instead having their findings dismissed and assumed to be something less sinister with the belief that they're "too young" for a breast lump to be cancer. For this reason, awareness for women (and men) and health professionals alike is really important, as is encouraging young people with the permission to feel empowered to advocate for their own health. For my treatment, I underwent neoadjuvant chemotherapy, which resulted in a pathologic complete response. I also had a lumpectomy with sentinel node biopsy followed by radiotherapy. I now take (the much despised) tamoxifen daily for upwards of 5 years. I think that in some ways having breast cancer as a young woman is a different ordeal to that of older women as we are a much rarer demographic, potentially making the experience a lonely one. Receiving such a diagnosis also calls in to question so much of our life plans and personal identity that we may still be in the process of establishing - interrupting ideas of a family, career, travelling or simply doing the same things as our peers. It's a sudden and rapid shift towards disconnection from the familiar and the envisioned dreams we had for ourselves. Entwined with my experience of cancer, I also had a significant relationship breakdown which I found just as harrowing as the trauma of cancer itself. It deepened my sense of grief and loss. But, I'm the sort of person who likes to see the bright side of things and laugh in the face of adversity, so I made the most of enjoying some fun with wrapping my head in vibrant scarves when my hair fell out or wearing ridiculously loud earrings. My sort of battle armour. Treatment also messes about with the relationship we have with our bodies because of changes to hormones, disfiguring procedures, hair loss from chemotherapy and the list goes on. At times I feel I could mistake myself for being in the body of a little old lady, rather than that of a young woman. I've found these issues have affected me both in the short and long term but finding people to support me in these specific challenges was important in my recovery out of active treatment even until now, almost 5 years on. Connecting to people with professional skill as well as those who can share a similar lived experience has been invaluable. Discovering a new version of myself in the aftermath of cancer has by far been the best part of my journey. Delighting in new passions and embracing a heart of adventure have been a balm in helping me heal. I now love to travel at any chance I get, as well as write and make art. Most recently, I moved from my home in Sydney, Australia, to see what it was like to live in a new place. I am also a nurse and having a personal trek through my own health crisis has made me better at my craft. Without a doubt, cancer is a most despicable thing to confront, but if nothing else it has taught me courage, opened the door to living a life that feels vastly richer than before, and brought me into closer connection with my loved ones - I am most thankful for that! But dear reader, if you too find yourself staring cancer in the face - I can't even begin to tell you how sorry I am. My hope is you may take comfort in knowing that there are people who have walked this journey before you (like me!) and there will be people who walk it after you, too. You aren't alone and we got this. I know we do Manage Cookie Preferences