General News
24 October, 2022
Breast screenings to keep locals in best health
Breast Cancer Awareness Month is now in its final week, but a local group wants you to be in the pink of health all year round. The Maryborough Breast Cancer Support Group (MBCSG) is continuing to advocate for the wellbeing of its members by...
Breast Cancer Awareness Month is now in its final week, but a local group wants you to be in the pink of health all yearround.
The Maryborough Breast Cancer Support Group (MBCSG) is continuing to advocate for the wellbeing of its members by providing a resource-rich and sociable atmosphere.
While a diagnosis can be life-changing, the group has helped residents manage that transition.
“When I was diagnosed, I didn’t have family here. After the treatment I found I liked being part of a group of likeminded people, not necessarily to talk about me or anyone’s problems but just to be a member and socialise. I found that really good,” said Margaret Harrison, a member of the support group.
Ms Harrison was diagnosed in 2018 after she went in for her annual screening.
“I had no worries whatsoever because you don’t think this is going to happen but after having that breast screening I had to wait a long time and I thought this could be serious,” she said.
“When the surgeon said you have breast cancer I accepted it, you need to be positive about it.
“You need to live in hope.”
Owing to her regular check-ups, the cancer was caught at an early stage — with a couple of small lumps which were later surgically removed.
“I’ve been fine ever since, and hopefully I’ll continue on,” she said.
Her friend and co-member of the group, Colette Thursby echoes the sentiment of positivity in her own cancer journey.
“I’m stubborn,” she said.
“I accepted the cancer head-on. It’s up to the doctors if they can fix you.
“You just have to be positive and take whatever the medicine is.”
The MBCSG is the third group Ms Colette has been a part of. She says these groups are a good indicator of why more cancer awareness is needed.
“When I first joined the other cancer group, there were possibly 100 people diagnosed every year with some form of cancer. And in this town it hasn’t abated, we’re still in the hundreds. And breast cancer is getting right up there,” she said.
Both Ms Harrison and Ms Colette strongly recommend getting ahead of the disease by making regular breast screening appointments irrespective of your age.
“Just because you’re young doesn’t mean you can’t find a lump,” Ms Colette said.
“If you find a lump, don’t be scared to get it checked out because it could just be a cyst.
“You just have to make that first step to get it checked.”
“If you’re worried about [a lump] do something about it,” Ms Harrison said.
The community also has a part to play according to Ms Harrison.
“Spread the word, be supportive of people,” she said.
Having a local breast cancer group helps in creating that network of community support that patients, survivors and family members can rely on.
“Some people don’t need that support but others do,” Ms Colette said.
For more information on how to join the group, contact Margaret Harrison on 5461-4034.