Kylie Warry, a wife and mother 42, of Arncliffe, bared her soul — and the scar where her right breast used to be — to encourage Leader readers to take control of their health.
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Mrs Warry was diagnosed with breast cancer last November and is on a journey of self-discovery.
"I don't want the word cancer to be a full stop," Mrs Warry said.
"For me it's definitely a pause or a comma."
South Eastern Sydney Local Health District figures showed 286 people were hospitalised for breast cancer in 2010-11.
Of those cases, 153 were at St George Hospital and six were at Sutherland.
"I want women to feel empowered about their own health," Mrs Warry said.
"Really listen to your body because I felt as though I had to really push for answers.
"You need to rally a really amazing support team around you.
"One of the earliest lessons I learnt was that different people provide different types of support."
Mrs Warry has a family history of breast cancer and opted to have her remaining breast removed.
"I also have to have my ovaries removed . . . which means I'll go into early menopause," she said.
"We [she and husband Mark] still feel like a young married couple so the idea of negotiating that on top of everything else is really tricky.
"I feel like we're in that process where my body has been deconstructed and torn apart and we're in the rebuilding process."
Breast cancer risk factors include gender, family history and certain breast diseases.
Most women with breast cancer have no known risk factors, aside from getting older.
Mrs Warry had her mastectomy at St George Private Hospital and sought support from breast care nurses.
Sutherland Shire Relay for Life on May 3-4 at Sylvania Waters Athletics Track raises money for Cancer Council NSW.
Details: relay.cancercouncil.com.au
How has the cancer journey affected you?
