Cassandra Thorburn had never heard of her cancer. Now she wants every woman to know about it.
LifestyleMamamia

Cassandra Thorburn had never heard of her cancer. Now she wants every woman to know about it.

Cassandra Thorburn was diagnosed with a rare stage three occult triple-negative breast cancer after a routine mammogram, and is now speaking out to raise awareness.

In a moment, the author's life was completely different.

The Long Sip
What happened

Cassandra Thorburn was diagnosed with stage three occult triple-negative breast cancer, a form accounting for fewer than two per cent of Australian breast cancer diagnoses.

The detail

There was no lump or pain, and doctors could not find a primary tumour, only a grey shadow in her lymph nodes spotted during a routine mammogram she almost skipped.

What it means

Cassandra began treatment just nine days after diagnosis and is now sharing her story so other women know this rare cancer exists and can be caught early.

For you

Cassandra's cancer was found through a routine mammogram with no lump or symptoms, a good reminder to book yours if you are overdue.

Full story at Mamamia

What readers are saying

BowlsClubBev
Her promise to turn it into why it is me really struck a chord. Turning that fear into sharing on social media takes real strength. 🌸
lozl
The story mentions the primary tumour was never found despite all the scans. Does that mean treatment continues without ever confirming its exact location?
Bridzza
She had no neutrophils at one point during the six months of chemo. That detail shows just how vulnerable the body becomes and why hospitalisation happened twice even with no obvious primary tumour.
trace_gladstone
Routine screening notices matter because an early catch gives people a proper fighting chance before things spread.
NannaPhyllis
Stage three occult triple negative represents under two per cent of Australian diagnoses.

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