Annette's story
Annette had been a regular breast screener for years, so at 66, she didn’t expect a call back after her routine mammogram. Now, after her diagnosis, she is more passionate than ever about raising awareness of the importance of breast screening.
At 66, living in Macksville, my life has been filled with adventure. My background in nursing took me across different countries, and I spent many years exploring the world. These days, I’m happy just cruising around Australia, enjoying the beauty of our own backyard.
When I received a reminder from BreastScreen NSW that I was due for a mammogram, I didn’t hesitate. I’d always felt comfortable about having a breast screen, so I booked my appointment and had it done in the van at Bowraville. The staff were kind, gentle, and patient, making the whole experience as easy as possible. I walked away feeling fine, no discomfort, no anxiety about the results.
But then, I got the call to come back for further tests. Even then, I wasn’t too worried. I thought I’d be one of the nine out of ten women who receive normal results. When the biopsy confirmed a cancerous lump, just 5mm in size, I was shocked. I hadn’t felt anything, no warning signs, just that small lump, quietly growing inside me.
Screening saved my life. Because the cancer was detected early, my treatment was far less invasive than it could have been if I had waited until I could feel the lump myself. Now, I’m on a mission to spread the word. I talk about breast screening all the time, I’ve become a bit of a nag about it!
To any woman hesitant or putting off their breast screen, I say: just go. Visit BreastScreen NSW, meet the staff, see the machine and the room and take away the fear of the unknown. The earlier breast cancer is found, the less aggressive the treatment needs to be. Stop making excuses. Just do it.
