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At the age of 31, I was diagnosed with breast cancer. It's almost 14 years ago now!
The diagnosis for a woman of any age is extremely confronting. As a young woman, the issues I faced were unique to me. I didn't know anyone else my age with breast cancer. Along with my diagnosis came issues to do with fertility, relationships, career, and a myriad of unanswerable questions. In those days there was no BCNA!
The journey for me is like a road map. The points along the map represent the different stages of my life. The journey is unique for each young woman and for me this is how the journey began.
Career
At the time of my diagnosis, I was in a ‘middle management'
position. I had many people working with and for me. For them it was
very confronting. I looked pale and my hair thinned and fell out
completely. I introduced them to my ‘hat', a beautiful blonde wig.
During summer the hat was so hot and uncomfortable I would retreat to
my shared office-closing the door and throwing my hat at the wall. My
colleagues still talk about those days! The many issues faced in the
work environment ranged from perception to credibility, communication
and understanding, along with the question, ‘What does the future now
hold for my career?' I now work from home doing investment work for a
family business.
Relationships
My diagnosis came at the early stage of a relationship. It was very
difficult for my partner. Would he stay with me? How could he be
attracted to me with no hair and a scarred breast? He did stay with me
and we married four years later. How do we consider our partners and
the support they need? They are also very much living the journey and
are often overlooked even though they play a key role.
Children
At the time of my treatment, it was thought that five years was the
right time to wait before trying to conceive (if at all possible). I
fell pregnant immediately, and gave birth to my lovely Jemima. My
issues then were will the cancer come back? How was I to breast feed?
Should I try to use the treated breast? Would that have a positive
affect on the breast? I faced major difficulties feeding from one
breast for the first eight weeks. Two-and-a-half years later, I was
pregnant again. And this time gave birth to beautiful Rohan. I tried to
use the treated breast again, but there was no milk at all this time. I
was determined, and fed both babies for a year with one breast. I now
ask, ‘What does the future hold for the treated breast?'
Early menopause
What a shock! No-one had told me this was likely happen, and with it
the emotional roller-coaster, with no treatment to assist with the
symptoms. It was daunting! How can this be managed going forward? Are
there safe treatments to ease symptoms? I often have frightening
thoughts of the possibility of driving my family mad! Recently I was
diagnosed with Grave's disease, an overactive thyroid. Is this related
to my past treatment? I guess I will never know.
Complementary therapy (and cost)
All treatment-medical along with organics, naturopaths, meditation,
acupuncture and the huge range of complementary therapies-are
available. The personal ‘out of pocket' cost has been enormous.
Effective (?) screening
I don't feel completely confident about my yearly mammogram and
ultrasound. What are the alternatives? Young women must be offered
effective screening. Mammography AND breast magnetic resonance imaging
(MRI) for young women? I'd like to see MRI offered to all young women
now.
Genetic testing
My mother was recently been diagnosed with breast cancer, so I will
soon go down the genetic testing path but when the time is right. We
have a nine year old daughter. She continually asks, ‘Mum how do we
make sure I don't get it?' The impact on children is enormous, and some
more than others. How do we consider them as part of the ongoing
journey?
The exercise thing
I have throughout my journey kept fit-very fit! I am about to
participate in my second half iron-woman triathlon event. The half
iron-woman consists of a 1.9km swim, 90 km bike ride and 21.1 km run.
Crossing the line brings with it the most wonderful sense of
achievement. When I first began training I could barely swim 50m! I
hadn't ridden a bike since I was a child. For me, I draw parallels to
each journey, and I draw from the strengths of both. Completing a
triathlon involves riding the ups and downs, overcoming the desire to
just pull out, and the elation of crossing the finish line!
Goals
Setting goals has been the single most important factor in keeping
my mind clear and positive throughout the journey, along with my
wonderful and supportive husband who is with me every step of the way.
Even while having chemotherapy treatment I walked many kilometres
everyday. It was my saviour: time to reflect, time to enjoy life to the
full. I have walked, swum, cycled and ran thousands of kilometres in
the last 14 years. This is what has helped keep me positive. It has
brought enormous balance to my life.
Not all negative
In my experience, having a cancer diagnosis has some positive aspects.
Overcoming the challenges and goals I have faced make success
paramount. I also take time to enjoy the many wonderful things in life
that many take for granted. I think I am a better person for it. I do
acknowledge that I have been extremely fortunate to date and that each
woman has a different story.
In summary
There must be respect for the unique needs and issues faced by young
women and the unique lifelong journey they are on. Young women are
assertive and well informed; we are generally are not concerned about
confronting the ongoing issues. We wish to play a very pro-active role
in managing our health for the future. Young women's health and ongoing
concerns must be well addressed and managed as individuals. For me this
is a journey into unknown and un-chartered waters. I sincerely hope I
can have a positive role in supporting the journey of the young women
who follow me.
Last Updated April 2007
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Lisa Tennekoon 
