Approximately 57 Australians are diagnosed with breast cancer every day - 3 of these are young women under 40. In May this year, at 33 years of age, I was one of those 3 young women. I found a small lump in my breast by total chance. I was incredibly lucky to find it early. I was fit and healthy, with no family history of breast cancer. A cancer diagnosis was the last thing I ever expected – it has been a terrible and life-changing shock for me and my loved ones. I was always under the misconception that breast cancer was heavily genetic, particularly for young women. In actual fact, only 5 to 10% of breast cancers are genetic – But not enough people talk about it! Since my diagnosis, I have discovered the alarming number of women who do not regularly check their breasts on a monthly basis (myself included until now!) HERE'S WHAT YOU CAN DO TO HELP ME: During the month of SEPTEMBER, I have set myself a personal challenge to raise awareness about breast cancer “57 PINK POST DROPs” and would love for you to sponsor me to raise money for two wonderful organisations which have positively impacted me personally - BREAST CANCER TRIALS and SYDNEY BREAST CANCER FOUNDATION. As I continue to undergo chemotherapy treatment, together with my beautiful Mum and closest friends, I will be hand delivering a Breast Check Shower Card (Provided by Sydney Breast Cancer Foundation) into 57 letterboxes EVERY DAY throughout the month, on random streets across Sydney. This will reach a total of 1710 households. Despite the life-changing shock that comes with any cancer diagnosis, I have been coping incredibly well. I feel that this is largely due to the fact that I have genuine gratitude for what I do have, I know how to help myself and where to draw my strength – which is through my faith, my beautiful family & friends, the kindness of others, my sense of humour and by taking action. Having a project, turning my pain into something positive, along with the proven benefits of daily exercise during treatment are all great motivators for me. My hope is that I reach somebody who really needs to check their breasts or book that screening, which is the best motivator of all. This challenge that I have set for myself isn’t just about the money, or the positive impact that I hope to have on others by raising awareness, but also about a platform where I can feel the love and support of everyone backing me to keep pushing through the hard days, and get through what feels like a colossal upheaval to life as I once knew it. I have become passionate about increasing awareness for ALL women of ALL ages and reminding everyone to please check your breasts! With free routine breast screening programs not available to those under 40, a self-check can be particularly vital to young women. 40% OF DIAGNOSED BREAST CANCERS ARE DETECTED BY WOMEN WHO FEEL A LUMP. A SELF BREAST EXAMINATION (AT ANY AGE) COULD INCREASE THE CHANCE OF EARLY DETECTION. EARLY DETECTION AND DIAGNOSIS LEADS TO AN INCREASE IN SURVIVAL RATES (NOTE – A SELF-CHECK DOES NOT SUBSTITUTE THE NEED FOR GP CHECKS AND SCREENING – SCREENING CAN DETECT CANCER BEFORE A LUMP CAN BE FELT). WHY BREAST CANCER TRIALS AND SYDNEY BREAST CANCER FOUNDATION? The terrible way in which my diagnosis all unfolded meant that I quickly realised that I would need to take matters into my own hands and be my own advocate, largely to ensure that I found the right treatment team (which I’m pleased to share that I absolutely have). As I launched into a self-taught degree on all things breast cancer, I discovered an organisation – Breast Cancer Trials - who have been instrumental in discovering some of the breakthrough treatments that directly impact breast cancer patients today – myself included. I feel that Breast Cancer Trials doesn’t seem to be as well-known as some of the other breast cancer organisations (which are essential also), however BCT are largely focused on the crux of the issue – research – which I LOVE! In those early weeks when I was completely terrified, I found so much comfort reading through the BCT trials and watching their online Q&As, as it has personally given me so much strength and hope for my future through findings such as those in the POEMS trial for example. BREAST CANCER TRIALS is one of the world’s leading breast cancer research organisations. Thanks to the brave beautiful women who have and continue to participate in trials, you can read about their research achievements here: www.breastcancertrials.org.au/research-achievements SYDNEY BREAST CANCER FOUNDATION – another wonderful organisation who use donated funds to carry out initiatives such as: providing the breast check shower cards, purchase of specialised state-of-the-art surgical equipment, National fellowship program training specialised surgical staff, ongoing research, the development of a Tissue Bank program, direct Patient support on a day-to-day basis though the funding of Breast Care Nurses, as well as continuing to provide support for wholistic patient-centic programs at the Living Room at Chris O'Brien Lifehouse and much-needed patient support programs within the wider community. This includes lovely things like providing free massages at the Living Room Chris O’Brien Lifehouse for breast cancer patients. Read about the wonderful work they do here: www.sbcf.org.au/about 1 in 7 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime. Chances are, it could be you or someone you love. So come on, get behind me x