Milica Milutinovic shares breast cancer journey at Sydney Southwest Oncology

A mum’s life became chaos when she was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive breast cancer. Bravely sharing her story inspired others to also discover ‘something sinister’ before it was too late.

Milica Milutinovic has her final treatment at Sydney Southwest Private Hospital on Friday. Picture: Tommy Larkin

Nothing could have prepared a southwest Sydney mother-of-two for the “terrifying moment” she was diagnosed with cancer.

But, the 32-year-old has turned the bad news into a way to help other young women.

Milica Milutinovic was diagnosed with triple-negative breast cancer – a rare and aggressive form of the disease – on June 1, when her youngest child was just six months old.

She also soon discovered she had the BRCA1 gene.

“I don’t check my breasts often but I had a strong feeling I should and I found a large lump,” Ms Milutinovic said.

“It was my first day back from maternity leave and it was such a shock.

“Three days later, I went to the GP, I had a biopsy and it was confirmed as breast cancer and then two weeks later I started chemo so it all happened quickly and it was terrifying.”

Ms Milutinovic said in just a few days her life had turned upside down. The past five months has been time spent “walking on eggshells”.

“I was wondering how I would handle the chemo, and I was scared for the kids I didn’t want it to impact them,” she said.

“Everything was really scary. But I had such great people around me. My husband and my best friend have been so amazing.”

Ms Milutinovic said once she had come to terms with her diagnosis, she posted about it on social media and encouraged other women to check their breasts too.

Milica Milutinovic, a mother-of-two wrote a social media post that prompted hundreds of women to check their breasts - two of whom required further investigation and treatment. Picture: Tommy Larkin

“I had hundreds of responses and two women told me they had discovered something sinister and thanked me for prompting them to check,” she said.

“I want women, especially young women to check their breasts because I found it early it actually saved my life.

“It made my heart feel happy that it created like a little community and people were reaching out to check in on me.”

Ms Milutinovic had her final treatment at Sydney Southwest Private Hospital on Friday, signalling the end of five months of chemotherapy and the start of her preparation for a double mastectomy later this month.

She said she would continue to share her story and remind others breast cancer could affect anyone, regardless of age or family history.

Of the two women who had reached out to her, one was soon diagnosed with breast cancer while the other woman is still in testing stages as doctors try to determine what is wrong.

“I am so relieved that they went and got tested and are seeking help, it just goes to show,” Ms Milutinovic said.

CANCER CLINIC PROVIDES ‘SANCTUARY’

Ms Milutinovic said an important part of the journey was making sure she found the right treatment facility and support network which could make all the difference.

Then, she was put in touch with the staff at Sydney Southwest Oncology Day Unit.

“I found there was a local, private oncology facility that my doctor highly recommended and I was able to start my treatment immediately,” she said.

“I was initially very scared going into chemo – it is a daunting and overwhelming experience.

“When I arrived on the ward at Sydney Southwest I was sad and in shock but everyone was so kind and lovely that my anxiety quickly diminished.”

With six chairs and two beds, Sydney Southwest Private oncology offers highly personalised treatment with flexible hours, no waiting lists and additional services like the Dignicap scalp cooling system to help prevent hair loss – the only caps available in the area.

Milica Milutinovic with staff from the Sydney Southwest Oncology Day Unit. Picture: Tommy Larkin from Bastion

Ms Milutinovic said the day unit became more like a sanctuary than a treatment facility.

“On my first day, a patient spoke to me about the benefits of the cool cap and warned me that my body would struggle for the first five minutes but if I could push through it, it would be fine,” she said.

“She was right, and had she not given me that advice I would have quickly removed the cap and lost my hair.

“The ward seems to foster an openness and willingness to share and connect which creates a real sense of community.”

Ms Milutinovic and her husband have become integral members of the unit over the past five months – going from first-time patients to seasoned veterans with plenty of wisdom to impart.

Sydney Southwest oncology nurse Tania Luxford said she had seen many patients transform from overwhelmed and afraid, to confident and in control.

Milica Milutinovic on her final day of chemo. Picture: Tommy Larkin

“Our patients are facing some of the hardest days of their lives but to watch them tackle their treatment with courage and dignity inspires us,” she said.

“Milica has come so far and to watch her now take other patients under their wing and comfort them at their most vulnerable is heartening.

“We work hard to create a space for people to come and feel comforted, nurtured and safe.”

Ms Luxford said they offered state-of-the-art treatments and clinical trials, but also an atmosphere that was more like a friendly salon than an oncology unit.

“We talk, we share fears, we celebrate triumphs and we do it over multiple cups of tea and coffee that is available all day and night,” she said.

“One of the greatest benefits of being a small facility is getting to truly connect with our patients one-on-one, and to watch those patients connect with each other.

“We see tips, words of encouragement and stories passed on that are still being shared years down the track.”

Originally published as Milica Milutinovic shares breast cancer journey at Sydney Southwest Oncology