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Kylie Minogue breast cancer: Aussie who battled breast cancer twice has moving message | Exclusive Interview
When Kylie Minogue When she first announced in May 2005 that she had been diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 36, the news sent shockwaves around the world.
But shortly after the news became public, health experts noticed something else: the so-called “Kylie effect,” which led to more women getting on a regimen breast examination dates.
Fast forward to today and the epiphany Minogue had second secret battle against breast cancer in 2021, which she announced this week, is expected to once again raise awareness about the disease, which claims the lives of nine Australian women every day.
Although Minogue is one of the lucky ones – she says she has made a full recovery after her latest post-treatment treatment – she is far from alone.
20,000 Australian women are diagnosed with breast cancer every year. That is 56 new cases per day. Some will undergo treatment ranging from surgery to chemotherapy and radiotherapy before they are completely safe.
Others won’t be so lucky: 20,000 Australian women are living with metastatic breast cancer.
Then there are people, like Minogue, for whom lightning strikes twice: hit with two primary diagnoses of breast cancer, often decades apart.
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Dr. Nick Zdenkowski is a breast cancer oncologist from Newcastle and medical advisor to Breast Cancer Trials.
He told Nine.com.au the risk of developing a second primary breast cancer was about one in 20, or 5 percent, over 20 years.
A second primary breast cancer can occur in the same breast, or more often in the other breast.
“Doctors can usually tell if it is a new cancer, or if the original cancer is coming back,” he said.
‘A second primary diagnosis could be a different type of cancer – for example hormone sensitive in one case and triple negative in the other.
When Natalie Henderson heard the news of Minogue’s second battle with the disease, her heart went out to the pop star, having also been diagnosed with breast cancer twice.
“I saw it on the news and I really felt like reaching out to her because it’s something I understand and I don’t know anyone else who had two diagnoses,” Natalie said. Nine.com.au this week.
Henderson was only 23 when breast cancer first emerged. She was living in Sydney and working in her dream job in HR when, in 2001, she noticed a pea-sized lump in her right breast.
Her sister suggested she see a GP, who then sent her for tests before ultimately being diagnosed with hormone receptor-positive breast cancer.
A lumpectomy and biopsy followed before she started chemotherapy, followed by radiotherapy.
She then took a course of Tamoxifen, which put her in medical menopause.
She celebrated the end of radiotherapy in 2002 when she met her now husband Ross on a dance floor. They married in 2004 and eventually welcomed three children through IVF, after her previous treatment left her battling infertility.
She was living in Port Macquarie, on the North Coast, when she noticed a lump in the side of her left breast in 2021.
Tests revealed she had triple negative breast cancer, the most aggressive and difficult to treat form of the disease.
The diagnosis, which came 19 years after her initial diagnosis, was not related to her previous cancer.
After chemotherapy, a double mastectomy with DIEP breast reconstruction, skin grafts and oral chemotherapy, she completed treatment in 2022.
She is now cancer-free, but lives with the constant fear of another recurrence.
Henderson said Nine.com.au Minogue’s comments this week that she couldn’t share her 2021 diagnosis at the time because she was “a shell of a person” resonated with her.
“I think there’s something very traumatic about it,” she said.
“It was 19 years for me. It was traumatic. You know what to expect. It’s pure terror.
“I couldn’t believe I had to go through this again and put my family through it too.”
Henderson said she couldn’t even bring herself to tell her family and friends about her second diagnosis, leaving it to her husband to call them.
“For the first three weeks I couldn’t even talk about it.”
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She said she still remembers Minogue’s first battle with cancer and the so-called ‘Kylie effect’.
As a very young woman who had battled breast cancer, it was helpful to have the singer as a role model in the years that followed.
“She had a real impact, especially with young women,” she said.
“Once she was diagnosed, it really raised the profile of young women with breast cancer.”
Henderson also had a message for Minogue.
“You’re not alone,” she said.
“I don’t think there are many women who can understand what we’ve been through. I wish her all the best for the future.”
Breast Cancer Trials is one of the world’s leading breast cancer research organizations and is committed to finding new and better treatments.
CEO Karen Price said every time a high-profile person revealed a breast cancer diagnosis, it caused people to “stop and think about whether they were overdue for screening, considered their family history or remembered a loved one who has passed away”.
Price said Minogue’s story was a reminder for breast cancer survivors and others to be vigilant.
“Continue to screen regularly. If you notice any changes in your breast, contact your doctor,” Price said.
“Much progress has been made in the field of breast cancer since Kylie was first diagnosed 20 years ago.”
And while the thought of a recurrence caused anxiety, Price assured people that the treatments had come a long way.
“Clinical trials are currently taking place around the world, focusing on the next breakthroughs in treatments that we still need to ensure we continue to improve survival rates,” Price said.
This time, Minogue is once again using her star power to remind people of the importance of routine health checks.
“As part of my routine checks in 2021, I was diagnosed with a second primary breast cancer.
“Early detection was very helpful and I am so grateful that today I can say that I am doing well.
“I also know that there will be someone who will benefit from a gentle reminder to get their checks done.”
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