Retired theatre nurse Sue Gough went for a biennial breast screening 18 months ago, not concerned about the outcome.
But a phone call following the appointment changed everything.
She needed further testing.
‘‘They told me not to worry, but hearing I needed further tests meant my heart dropped into my boots,” she said.
Sue’s late mum had breast cancer and Sue was a regular user of the breast screening bus in Ashburton.
In the past her reports had always come back fine.
So she was expecting the same at this visit.
A phone call from Canterbury BreastCare asked her to go to Christchurch as her mammogram showed a need for further investigation.
Sue went to St George’s Hospital for another, more in-depth mammogram.
It provided a clearer definition on the area of concern.
Two hours later she got the results.
‘‘It was so small the surgeon wasn’t sure how they found it as he couldn’t feel it.”
The 69-year-old said her nursing experience helped her understand what was involved but “it was still a scary and stressful time”.
She had it removed and then two weeks after the lumpectomy, she had five days of radiation.
She had days of extreme tiredness and now has yearly check ups. Sue was full of praise for all the staff involved in her treatment.
All those involved in her surgery and care were kind, caring and professional which made the journey so much easier to deal with, she said.
During her journey, Sue self referred herself to Mid Canterbury Cancer Society who were ‘‘very supportive” to her and husband Barry.
Sue said theatre experience meant she remained relatively calm through her cancer journey which she thought helped her husband.
“As a nurse I am proactive about my health. I know some people won’t go to the bus – which literally comes to our doorstep – to get a check up fearing the outcome.
“You can take a support person with you to your appointments,’’ Sue said.
‘‘But it so important to just go and get checked because early detection saves lives.”
Sue’s key message for others today, on Pink Ribbon Breakfast Day, is to be breast aware and get checked, even if nothing appears wrong.
Early detection means it can be seen to quickly and the earlier the diagnoses, the better chances of a good outcome, she said.
