On the Coast – Families Issue 99 I April/May 2019 | Page 6

The BreastScreen van
saved my life
Heather Kozak 52, from Bateau Bay, talks about her personal experience
with breast cancer in The Central Coast Breast Cancer Compendium.
“I
had no idea I had DCIS
(ductal carcinoma in situ).
I spontaneously decided to have a
mammogram when I saw the pink
BreastScreen van in the
supermarket car park.
Within 30 days from my initial call back, I
had undergone bilateral mastectomy and
reconstruction with implants. MRI had
shown suspicious cells in my other breast
so I wanted to remove all doubt and risk.
I did not need to have chemotherapy due
to the non-invasive nature of the DCIS.
My diagnosis came out of the blue. No
pain, no lumps. I had the all clear on a
mammogram less than two years ago.
I later discovered this is fairly typical
of DCIS, which rarely produces
symptoms and is usually only picked up
through screening.
For me, one of the most frustrating
parts of the journey was the dearth of
information about choices.
At diagnosis, I was told there were
only two surgeons on the Central Coast
and I had to choose one. I have since
found out by talking to others there are
many more options available.
“I have only one implant and
another “boob” that is empty as the
implant failed due to skin necrosis.
But breast cancer has taught me
what I look like is really a very
small part of who I am. I have
learnt to make the best of what
I have, and am grateful for
clever swimwear with a built
in prosthesis that can
provide secret symmetry
for one-boobed
hippies like me.”
Heather wears
Leila O’Toole
swimwear
I only had three weeks to decide about
surgical options and found the online
pictures of breast reconstructions
terrifying. That’s why I decided to be in the
compendium to show there are choices.
I dreaded telling my son Max, who has
cerebral palsy and Aspergers, about my
breast cancer diagnosis. But he simply
said in typical Max fashion: “Oh well
you’ll just have to get them lopped off
Mum.” That pragmatism really pulled me
through when I needed it.
The Central Coast Breast Cancer Compen
dium
Did you know?
Mammograms are free
for women aged 50–74
through BreastScreen
For bookings call 13 20 50
or visit
www.breastscreen.nsw.gov.au
Ready! Set! Fight!
Heather's story was published in The
Central Coast Breast Cancer
Compendium. The Compendium
features stories written by Coastie
women about their personal experience
with breast cancer. A digital copy can
be downloaded from www.drmaryling.
com.au. Hard copies are also available
from Blooms the Chemist at Erina Fair,
Brisbane Waters Private Hospital,
Gosford Private Hospital, Gosford
Library and Lymphatic Solutions.
Personal Stories
of Breast Cancer
on the Coast
“I rode 60km during
chemo for my 60th”
Secret Symmetry
1
Dr Mary Ling is a Breast and General Surgeon who consults at Gosford & Woy Woy
www.facebook.com/drmaryling/
& 02 4321 0302 www.drmaryling.com.au
6
KIDZ O N T H E C OA S T
The Family Curse
Breast Cancer Surgery