‘I was 27, I knew nothing about breast cancer’
Christine Bayeh was six weeks pregnant when she was diagnosed with breast cancer. She credits one woman in particular with supporting her through the ordeal.
When Christine Bayeh noticed a lump in her breast, it was initially dismissed as hormonal by her usual GP.
After seeking a second opinion, another GP recommended Christine get an ultrasound as soon as possible.
“The lady scanning me was taking so long, that I thought, ‘She probably can’t find it, it’s probably nothing’,” Christine says.
“But then she said, ‘I’m just going to call in the doctor’, and I knew from that point it was something. I just knew it.”
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‘I was speechless’
Christine had an emergency biopsy and a few days later was diagnosed with breast cancer. She was just six weeks pregnant at the time.
“I was speechless,” Christine says. “I was 27, I knew nothing about breast cancer.”
Christine saw a specialist breast surgeon that week.
After her diagnosis, she met McGrath breast care nurse Bronwyn Williams.
“Bronwyn was a breath of fresh air, she reassured me, explained everything and gave me her mobile number to call or text if I needed anything,” Christine says.
“She was my saviour, I’m so grateful for Bronwyn, I don’t know how I would have coped otherwise.”
Despite challenges along the way, Christine went on to have a healthy baby boy, Christian, who is about to turn four years old.
Bronwyn was among the first people to see him at the hospital when he was born.
Another shocking blow
When Christine decided to try for a second child, doctors discovered she had thyroid cancer.
It was Bronwyn who broke the news to her.
“Bronwyn said, ‘It’s cancer again. Don’t you worry, I’ve booked you in to see the specialist first thing on Friday’,” Christine says.
With the thyroid cancer successfully removed, Christine went on to have baby Chloe, now eight months old.
What is a breast care nurse?
Breast care nurses are registered nurses specially trained to manage the care of people with breast cancer throughout their treatment.
Bronwyn has been a breast care nurse for 15 years.
“I see patients from their initial diagnosis, so they’ve just seen the doctor, they come in here and they’re shell shocked,” Bronwyn says.
“A lot of the time they come to my room in tears.
“I make sure they understand their treatment options, and basically act as an advocate to make sure they get the best possible health care available.”
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How to help this Breast Cancer Awareness Month
The McGrath Foundation raises money to fund breast care nurses who provide invaluable support and care to women and men experiencing breast cancer for free and with no referral.
Chief executive Holly Masters says it is the foundation’s mission to ensure no one goes through breast cancer without the help of a breast care nurse.
There are 185 McGrath breast care nurses, however more are needed as more people are diagnosed with breast cancer each year.
New research commissioned by the foundation shows 23 per cent of people in Australia experiencing breast cancer will miss out on the vital support of a dedicated breast care nurse this year.
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. To donate, go to McGrath Foundation.
Written by Bianca Carmona.
