Long-term Survivor
31 years since diagnosed with breast cancer
Bettina Woodburn
How long ago were you diagnosed with breast cancer and at what age were you?
In 1973 I attended a CWA meeting (Country Women’s Association) where there was a member of the Anti-Cancer Council talking about the warning signs of cancer. We were told to “Go home and find your lumps”. I had never looked or felt my breasts before. I promptly went home and checked my breasts only to find a lump – just as had been described. After undergoing a lumpectomy (my surgeon couldn't take a biopsy), I was advised that the lump was cancer and soon after underwent a mastectomy.
What impact did this have on you and your family/friends?
It was a huge shock for my family and friends who thought I so fit and healthy, I couldn’t possibly have cancer!
After the mastectomy I started the fortnightly, monthly, yearly checks with my surgeon. Although he told me that I was cured, I questioned his positive attitude. I wouldn’t buy clothes it was a waste of money: I would die soon. I wanted to throw myself under the train.
I returned to the duties of wife, mother of four, house and garden, but I was shattered, in shock and felt that my life was ruined.
What were some of the challenges you had to overcome?
Just simply accepting that this was happening to me, how could it be when I was so fit and healthy?
Not having any personal contact with breast nurses and support groups, or having ready access to information about my medical condition was difficult. Being left in the hospital to have my mastectomy was the longest and most miserable day of my life. I whimpered for hours about losing my femininity. How I needed a breast care nurse!
Feeling unbalanced for years after the mastectomy was difficult. I tried many things to fill my bras; sheepskin prosthesis, bags of rice and birdseed, sponge rubber, even socks and hankies.
After thirty years of feeling uncomfortable, with indentations on the top of my shoulders from the straps an obliging surgeon reduced my right breast to match the other.
How has breast cancer changed your life? What are some of the positive impacts that have occurred as a result of living with breast cancer?
I learned to be positive about my recovery. I spent the 10 years between fifty and sixty becoming super-fit to fight further spread of cancer. I also exercised my mind by achieving my HSC and three degrees.
I trained my body, kayaking to improve my left arm movement, and then bicycling for leg movements and endurance.
When I was sixty I joined Veteran Athletics where I ran, jumped and threw. I started to compete and I held 15 Australian records in the Veterans and Master Games, and won medals in the World Games in Rome and in Melbourne. I used other sports as cross-training and competed in swimming, boomerang throwing and cross-country skiing. I paddled my kayak 1,000kms on the Murray River to raise awareness of breast cancer and money for research and competed with Dragons Abreast (dragon boating).
I still swim and exercise and now over eighty, still ride my Eddie Merckx road racing bike.
What changes/advances have you seen in breast cancer since you were diagnosed?
There was no multidisciplinary care when I was first diagnosed and oncology and breast nurses were un-heard of.
Also people didn’t talk about breast cancer when I was diagnosed. Cancer was a dirty word.
Other than the Mastectomy Society which met monthly, there were no other support groups or supportive care options in hospitals. Today there is an abundance of help and support, tremendous bonding going on!
What do you think has made the biggest difference for women being diagnosed and treated today?
Other than the advances in the treatment of breast cancer and the number of skilled practitioners working in multidisciplinary care, the biggest difference is that women are talking about breast cancer and it is no longer a secret!
What is the most important health message you would give to other women who have breast cancer?
Stop grieving, you can fight cancer. Watch your health and aim for fitness and fun! Take risks but take care.
