When Mary Basham found a breast lump during a routine self-examination, she knew she needed to act quickly. The 64-year-old mum-of-two and grandmother-of-three, who has worked as a nurse for 42 years, is encouraging all women to schedule in regular mammograms and self-examinations, and to be proactive in seeking help and treatment if they find any lumps or notice any breast changes.
“It’s really important to check yourself and to have regular mammograms, especially once you’re over 40, or if you’ve got a history of breast cancer in your family,” Mary said.
“I found a lump in my breast in 2019, and it came back positive for cancer.”
After consulting with the surgeon at Ipswich Hospital, the decision was made for Mary to undergo a mastectomy.
“The mastectomy was all done within about a month – they were very quick. I had lymph node biopsies done at the same time and luckily, they all came back clear.”
In September this year, Mary will celebrate five years cancer free and credits the incredible doctors, nurses and staff at Ipswich Hospital.
“A five-year survival rate is a big thing. The next one will be 10 years. I’ve got to be on hormone tablets to reduce my estrogen which causes some other side effects, but the main thing is, I’m here to tell the story.
“Everyone’s been wonderful. From the doctor to the breast care nurses to the staff in the ward, staff in theater … they’ve all been brilliant. The team’s been fantastic!”
Though the cancer is gone, Mary said the experience was an incredibly emotional one, and that some fear of it returning still hangs over her. When asked what advice she would give to other women, Mary says she’d encourage everyone to schedule regular mammograms.
Breast Screen Queensland Ipswich Service offers free breast screening for women 40 years and over, with women aged 50 to 74 recommended to screen every two years.
“I’d tell women to make sure they know when their last mammogram was and to have one regularly. I thought it had only been two or three years since my last one and it was actually six years.
“It was just that I found quite a large lump one day and thought, ‘that feels a bit strange’, that I knew there was anything wrong.
“We sometimes, in our busy lives, forget to do these things. Time goes so fast and suddenly it’s six years later.
“I’d say just be proactive in looking for it. It’s all for your own good.”
To book a breast screen, call 13 20 50 or visit www.breastscreen.qld.gov.au
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