Hi, my name is Judy Davis and I am a proud member of Pink Hope.

The first I can remember of hearing about Breast Cancer was my Great Aunty Bell who had Bilateral Breast Cancer, this was many years ago and it eventually took her life. Since then I have had an aunty, several cousins and second cousins and only one has shown to have the BRCA 2 Gene.  Breast Cancer hit my immediate family when my eldest sister Valerie was diagnosed (eventually became bilateral BC), unfortunately Valerie past away 5 years ago.  My sister Marjorie was diagnosed with Breast Cancer next and is a survivor. 

My Brother Jim was diagnosed with Bowel Cancer and unfortunately passed away 4 years ago, so to say that CANCER is a big focus in my family is an understatement.  My immediate family have been tested for the BRCA gene faults, remarkably it is wonderful news that the results were found to be negative.  But then there leaves the question WHY?

I have 5 grandchildren and three wonderful children and my husband Bill is such a support for me.  I have had the Breast Cancer problem laying heavily on my shoulders within the family ever since Valerie was first diagnosed in 1995.  I joined the IBIS foundation Tamoxifen trial and finished in 2000.  I also became closely linked to KConFab when Marjorie was first diagnosed, undertaking surveys etc with them.  Still the question came what can I do?  I have always said that the cure for cancer is AWARENESS. 

I undertook my yearly Mammograms, scans, ultrasounds and whatever was expected of me.  Then when my brother was diagnosed with Bowel Cancer came the two yearly scans and colonoscopies.  Cancer seemed to consume my life, I donated, volunteered and did whatever I could but it didn’t seem to help my conflict with how do I help my family, how do I fulfil my dream of being around for my family? I wanted to see my grandchildren grow, I wanted to see great grandchildren, I wanted to see them get married. I wanted to spend a quality life with my family. 

I had thought I wish I could have a mastectomy then I would be spared the large percentage chance that I too may succumb to Breast Cancer, this was a dream as I thought it could only happen to someone with Private Health Insurance. 

During my yearly routine scans two lumps were discovered, the dreaded lumps. I had to go back for more scans and a biopsy, all the time I was trying to be positive but my dream of being around for my family seemed to be going down the tube very quickly. All the worry and tears were quickly relieved as the results came back negative for Breast Cancer, I had survived another obstacle. 

The ups and downs and the worry of getting breast cancer were really getting to me, so I decided to speak with my Breast surgeon about the reality of a Preventative mastectomy. I was informed that the surgery could be performed in a public hospital, I was given all the information, and I was referred to a genetic familial clinic. With more discussion and my determination to have a healthy life with my family, my dream was finally becoming a reality. I did so much research and during that research I just happened to find Pink Hopes website www.pinkhope.org.au and I have not looked back since.

Fast forward one year…On the 1st August 2011 I underwent a Preventative mastectomy with immediate reconstruction (Free Tram flap).  I went to sleep with thanks to the Pink Hope girls thinking PINK and when I woke up the problem of Breast Cancer was no longer lying heavily on my shoulders.  Yes it has been painful, I have had my blue days but now being three weeks post op, how am I feeling??????? Wonderful.  My chances of developing Breast Cancer have gone down to approx 3%; I can see a future with my family.  My wish for the people of the world…..Please be aware that Cancer is here, support, research and AWARENESS is the only way we will be able to fight it, but if you can do something about it DO It.  Take your Destiny into your own hands.

Take care everyone and please stay smiling.  Love Judyxxx