‘Something wasn’t right’: Wallaby great Steve Kefu’s wife Arnika in brave battle

When Arnika Kefu was diagnosed with breast cancer she cursed herself for not going to her doctor sooner. She opens up on her battle in a bid to save others.

When Arnika Kefu was diagnosed with breast cancer she cursed herself for not going to her doctor sooner.

Her shock diagnosis in March was the second devastating blow to her close-knit family after brother-in-law and Wallaby great Toutai Kefu, his wife Rachel Kefu and their children were victims of a violent home invasion just seven months earlier.

Now, the 41-year-old mum of three and wife to fellow Wallaby great Steve Kefu has braved sharing her cancer story to remind other women how important it is to get their breasts checked.

Although Ms Kefu knew “something wasn’t quite right” last year, she needed to push herself to see her General Practitioner.

Arnika and Steve Kefu (centre) with kids Laila , Jacob and Chloe, along with dog Bandit. Picture: supplied by Mater

“I didn’t even have an inkling in my head that it was cancer,” Ms Kefu said.

“I started getting an inverted nipple but didn’t give it the time of day.

“You don’t have time for that, you’re already at your brink with kids and family life, always putting everyone else before you, but in the end they’re the ones you’ve got to be there for.

“I delayed it and potentially other women would as well.”

A biopsy confirmed Ms Kefu had a 2.5cm cancerous lump in her breast.

When her doctor delivered the news, she cried, thinking how her young children Laila, 14, Chloe, 12 and Jacob, 8, would cope.

The months that followed were tough, with Ms Kefu revealing she found it difficult to even speak of her diagnosis.

Arnika Kefu.

“The month after I got diagnosed, just being in limbo before the treatment plan was finalised, that unknown part of it is pretty scary,” Ms Kefu said.

“You’re even reluctant to talk to anyone about it because you sort of have no plan of attack but I called all my close girlfriends over to let them know in sort of a group setting and it was so surreal that we were actually talking about what may be ahead.

“My biggest thing though was getting through it without the kids being too affected by it.

“I didn’t want them to have to give up on everything, and they didn’t, they were resilient.”

While her family motivated her to get checked, it was also their support that got Ms Kefu through her treatment.

“I guess with Steve’s work and being overseas, a lot of times I was without family support and even though this year was tough, I’m so grateful I had the support here,” Ms Kefu said.

“There’s a lot of times you want to bow out but they’ll walk in the door and check in on you.”

It’s not the first time the Kefus have had to support each other, after the horrific home invasion in August last year.

“My sister-in-law Rachel suffered serious cuts to her arm during the home invasion and often we sit and look at each other thinking what’s happened,” Ms Kefu said.

“I was sort of the one that went in and rearranged Rachel’s linen cupboard, I got it all organised for her because I knew as a mum, she wouldn’t be able to do that, just those things I knew would help.

“Friends don’t want to impose but your family will walk in and pick up a vacuum or take your kids to the park.

“But that’s life, you’re just there for each other.

“Banter always helps get us Kefus through, too.”

Arnika and Steve Kefu.

Following months of continuous chemotherapy at Mater’s Cancer Care Centre, doctors were able to shrink Ms Kefu’s tumour before surgically removing it.

She’s now waiting for a final doctors’ clearance, hoping to hear the words ‘you are cancer free’.

“I had my surgery last week,” she said.

“The only thing is, which is quite tough, is they found cells in my lymph nodes so I’ve got to go back and get those checked out.

“The Mater team is amazing though, they all work together and honestly they just have your best interests at heart.

“Even the person that delivers the meals, nurses, doctors, the volunteers who point you in the right redirection on your first day, everyone just plays such a huge role in making sure you come out the other side.”

With 3200 Australians expected to die from breast cancer this year, Ms Kefu is now urging other women during Breast Cancer Awareness Month to not ignore their symptoms and “just take that first step” to get checked.

“Just push yourself to do it because you’ll be able to handle anything that’s in front of you, but you need to know what’s in front of you,” she said.

“There‘s so much support out there as well, you won’t be alone.”

Breast cancer fast facts

• Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women in Australia

• It’s estimated that more than 20,000 women and 200 men will be diagnosed with breast cancer in Australia in 2022

• More than 3200 Australians will die from breast cancer this year

• Patients diagnosed with breast cancer have a 92 per cent chance of surviving 5+ years

• If cancer is limited to the breast, the five-year survival rate rises to 96 per cent