Big V Pink Round on May 9th is a very special and important event on our calendar and one that is incredibly close to my heart as an eight year survivor of breast cancer.
In 2018, in my early 40s, I was diagnosed with breast cancer, thankfully at a very early stage. At the time, I was a busy mum of three young children, passionate about running, health and fitness, and balancing the demands of family life, work and community sport. Like many women, I never imagined I would hear the words, “You have breast cancer,” followed by the need for urgent surgery.
Looking back now, I feel incredibly grateful for that diagnosis because it was caught early. But I also know that if I had ignored the signs my body was giving me and not taken myself to the GP because “something just didn’t feel right,” my story may not have had the same outcome.
As women, particularly mums, we are so often caught up in the daily chaos of life, juggling children, careers, households, trainings and games, appointments and trying to somehow prioritise our own wellbeing amongst it all. We are the ones who keep everything moving, yet so often our own health falls to the bottom of the list.
I want women to know that my symptoms were not what we often hear about in awareness campaigns. I didn’t find a lump. What I experienced was pain while running. Even then, because I was in my early 40s, fit, healthy and outwardly managing a large community organisation and busy family life, breast cancer was not considered likely. My GP almost overlooked referring me for further testing because we are conditioned to believe breast cancer mainly affects older women.
The reality is very different. Breast cancer is the most common cancer diagnosed in young women in Australia and remains one of the leading causes of cancer related death in young women. Every year, around 1,000 Australian women under the age of 40 are diagnosed with breast cancer, with approximately 69 young women losing their lives to the disease annually. That equates to around three young women diagnosed every day and one young woman dying every week from breast cancer.
What many people also don’t realise is that Breast Screen Victoria offers free breast screening for women aged 40 to 50, even though routine invitations begin from age 50.
Today, I write this message to the women in our basketball community and beyond: please take a moment to prioritise your own health. If there is an appointment you have been putting off, a scan you have delayed, or something that simply doesn’t feel right, please make the time to get checked. Your health is more important than any training session, game, meeting or work commitment. The world will keep turning if you miss a day of kids sport, your loved ones need you healthy and well.
To the women in our community currently fighting this disease please know that we stand beside you. Community matters, support matters, and the Mornington Basketball has always been incredibly good at rallying around people when they need it most. Whether it is a message, a meal, a lift for the kids, a shoulder to lean on or simply someone checking in, those small acts of kindness can make an enormous difference. You are not fighting alone, and this community will continue to stand with you every step of the way.
This Pink Round on May 9th, we come together not just to raise funds, but to raise awareness, encourage action and remind every woman that her health matters. If you are able to donate, we would greatly appreciate your support. If you would like to come along and support our teams, we warmly welcome you to join us. During the Big V Pink Round, Mornington Basketball will donate $20 for every made three-point shot and $50 for every dunk by our Youth Men and Senior Women to the Breast Cancer Network Australia.
Most importantly, to every breast cancer fighter, survivor and family impacted by this disease, this round is for you xx
Sam Browne
MDBA Chief Executive Officer
