Tania
Since its launch, Pink Up Mudgee has been instrumental in securing a breast care nurse for our community – with our current being the brilliant Tania Mayson.
With over 20 years of experience in nursing and midwifery, Tania brings our region a wealth of knowledge at her role as the McGrath Breast Care Nurse. Tania's unwavering dedication and expertise have provided invaluable support to those navigating the challenges of breast health. Her presence has been a beacon of hope and a source of comfort for many during their times of need.
Joy
Facing breast cancer head-on, Joy is gearing up for radiotherapy after a lumpectomy in June.
My lump was detected by self-examination and seen on ultrasound, then diagnosis confirmed by biopsy. My message to everyone is self-examination or examination by your GP is vital as (due to its position) my lump wasn’t detected by mammograms".
Her story is a reminder: self-exams and GP check-ups are vital. Sometimes, as Joy experienced, mammograms may miss certain lumps due to positioning.
A huge shoutout to all the Drs and Tania, our Mudgee breast care nurse for looking after Joy during this time!
Kathy
Last January Breast Screen found a lump in my breast, before I knew it I was off to the surgeon and not long after that I had a lumpectomy and some lymph nodes removed.
I went through 3 weeks of radiation, with my beautiful sister by my side. I was put on medication for 5 years and so far so good. I hadn’t grown any more cancer when I had my yearly mammogram and haven’t had too many side effect from the meds. So far I feel blessed that things were found early and I am looking forward to a bright future”.
We are sending all our positive wishes to Kathy as she battles side effects of breast cancer.
Tracey
I was laying in bed enjoying a coffee when one of my cats stood on my chest, “ouch” I exclaimed and rubbed the area, there was a large lump there.
I told my husband, who said you need to go to the Doctor, I said “nah, it’s probably nothing I’ve had a mammogram it was all clear, its most likely just a cyst”, my Mum had had a couple over the years, but he was very insistent, so I made an appointment.
Within days I had a positive Breast cancer diagnosis through ultrasound at the local imaging center. As it was during COVID, I was sent to Sydney for a biopsy, for further staging. Even though the lump was large and obvious, it failed to be seen on the mammogram, yet was clearly visible on the ultrasound they used for the biopsy. My Tumor ended up being 50mm, and which grade 2, stage 2 lobular cancer. Less than 10% of breast cancer is found to be lobular and I since found out that it is harder to diagnose due to the structure of the tumors. I was told many times over the years of getting mammograms that I had “lumpy, dense breasts”, this makes it harder still to detect tumors, my advice going forward is to undertake physical checks regularly, and if you are told that you have dense breast tissue, or lumpy breasts, request an ultrasound, it would have made a difference to my outcome.
I opted for a double mastectomy, and followed up with Radio therapy, all done at Dubbo hospital. I cannot speak more highly about the levels of care I received there, and the Macquarie Homestay facility, they made a horrible situation as pleasant as it could have been.”