“I tried to take it for what it is – as a wake-up call – and re-evaluate what is important in my life and where I want to be.” Carolyn Kelly shares her breast cancer journey with journalist BINA BROWN. 

The prospect of waiting for eight weeks for a mammogram in the ACT to confirm whether a lump in her breast was cancerous was too long for Canberra resident Carolyn Keily. 

While not overly worried about the lump, the then 42 year old contacted a private Sydney clinic and made an appointment for a mammogram, ultrasound and biopsy. They booked her in the following day. 

Her lump turned out to be a highly aggressive tumor, and she underwent a lumpectomy two weeks later. 

Carolyn was then able to return to Canberra for weeks of chemotherapy and radiation treatment, but she wonders what might have happened if she’d waited two months to start the process.

Carolyn encourages friends around her age group to have regular checkups at Breastscreen ACT.

It is now coming up to two years since the diagnosis and lumpectomy. Like many women who have been diagnosed before her, Carolyn had no family history of breast cancer and led an active, healthy lifestyle

Women aged 50-74 are strongly encouraged and reminded to visit Breastscreen ACT every two years. 

It is less known that free screening is also available to women aged 40-49 and over 74.

“I keep sending friends off to be screened. Two friends have since had early cancer diagnoses, which is not a referral rate I want,” says Carolyn.

An optimist at heart, Carolyn saw the cancer as another obstacle to navigate in life.

“I tried to take it for what it is – as a wake-up call – and re-evaluate what is important in my life and where I want to be. I prioritised my family and my own health,” she says.

She discovered that the world didn’t stop because of her diagnosis.

Carolyn was juggling a job she enjoyed with significant family hurdles, but she was wary of being viewed through a lens of sympathy.

Instead, she advocates for a more honest conversation about the “dark moments” we all face.

According to Carolyn, the goal isn’t always to find a fix; it’s about the validation that comes when we stop pretending everything is fine and admit when things are difficult.

To fight treatment-induced fatigue, Carolyn’s exercise physiologist recommended a surprising remedy: more movement.

This led her to take up dragon boating, stumbling across Dragons Abreast. For Carolyn, the benefits were as much social as they were physical. 

“The exercise made a real difference to my energy levels,” she says, “but I also found a community. 

“I am fitter and healthier now than ever before. More than that, I absolutely love the time I get to spend on the water with my team”.

Carolyn is also looking forward to participating in the family-friendly, community focused, fundraiser for breast and ovarian cancer research, The Mother’s Day Classic. 

The 5km walk or run and 10km run will take place from 8am on Sunday May 10 at the new venue of Lennox Gardens, Flynn Drive, Yarralumla.

Register to run, walk, volunteer or donate at: mothersdayclassic.com.au

Bina Brown is a Canberra-based journalist and long time supporter of the Mother’s Day Classic.