Bec had recently welcomed her third child when she found a lump under her arm

Adelaide mother Bec Quartermaine was diagnosed with breast cancer just before her 37th birthday, and just four months afterward the birth of her youngest child.

“It was a very difficult time,” Bec, now 38, said Today. “Breast cancer doesn’t run in our family, so it took us completely by surprise.”

Bec was in the shower with her four months old one evening when she discovered a lump under her arm.

“I was hoping it was a duct since I was breastfeeding at the time. I just played it safe and went to my doctor,” she said.

Just as cautiously, her doctor immediately sent Bec for examination.

Shortly afterwards, Bec was unfortunately diagnosed with breast cancer.

She also discovered that she carries the BRCA gene mutation, which significantly increases the risk of breast, ovarian and pancreatic cancer.

Although the news was devastating, genetic testing allowed her to check her daughters for the BRCA mutations. Fortunately, they were approved and the test gave Bec “peace of mind” for the future.

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Bec and husband Jeremy are parents to three daughters: Lily, seven, Annabelle, four, and Paige, two.

“I feel incredibly fortunate that genetic testing has shown that all three of my girls are BRCA-free,” Bec explained on behalf of BCNA.

The doting mother has since completed treatment for breast cancer.

However, she is part of the rising trend of breast cancer patients diagnosed under the age of 40.

According to Cancer Australia, an estimated 1,035 women under the age of 40 were diagnosed in 2025.

“I met so many people who dealt with their situation in different ways and it felt good to them,” Bec said.

“There’s no right or wrong way, but for our family we felt it was important to be as honest as possible with our girls and looking back on it now, I’m so glad we did it this way.”

It was their eldest daughter Lily who supported her mother during her treatment

“Obviously the whole situation was a lot for me to go through, but it was equally monumental for Jeremy and our girls,” Bec added.

“As the eldest, we did our best to involve Lily as much as possible, in a way that was appropriate for her age, but of course we took her feelings into account.

“For example, she didn’t like me not wearing a wig when I was with her friends or when I was out of the house, which I respected because I wanted her to feel safe.

“But we set the boundaries that it was OK to be wig-free at home because it was more comfortable for me, even if it took some adjustment for her.”

Bec and Lily are leading the ‘Choose Her Story’ campaign in partnership with Breast Cancer Network Australia (BCNA) and Bakers Delight.

Starting today (May 14), Bakers Delight will be selling their popular Pink Buns as part of their annual fundraising campaign for BCNA.

Pink Buns cost $2 each and $9.50 for a pack of six, with 100 percent of the proceeds going to BCNA.

“One of the greatest joys in this chapter for me is that my eldest daughter, my seven-year-old Lily, is proudly involved with me in the Pink Bun campaign,” said Bec.

“And while the intention is not to scare the younger generation, I believe this is an opportunity for families to slowly bring awareness to these young minds so that when they grow up, they will hopefully be more aware.”

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