Hayley Smith urges young women to get breasts checked after shock cancer diagnosis

A Brisbane woman is using the power of social media to urge young women to check their breasts after a shock cancer diagnosis at just 33.

Hayley Smith was only 33 when she heard those three words everyone dreads: “You have cancer”.

Ms Smith went from working as a nurse to being being the patient after she was diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer.

She has no family history of the disease.

Despite the shock, the Brisbane woman says she’s “one of the lucky ones” because her cancer was caught in the earlier stages.

For countless others she’s met on her journey, the news isn’t as positive.

According to Breast Cancer Australia Network, more than 20,000 people will be diagnosed with breast cancer this year alone.

That’s an average of 55 people per day.

For Ms Smith, her discovery has led to a social media movement in a bid to try and educate, and save as many other young women as possible.

The Kiwi ex-pat had gone to her doctor for something unrelated when she was reminded to check her breasts.

After a home self-exam, Ms Smith went back to her doctor after discovering a lump.

After an ultrasound, both the radiographer and the doctor told Ms Smith it was probably nothing to worry about, but she could elect to get a biopsy for peace of mind.

She says it’s the best $300 she has ever spent.

“The next day I got triple negative grade three breast cancer which is the most aggressive growing type that there is,” Ms Smith said.

“I’m so lucky that it hasn’t spread from my breast.

“My prognosis is pretty good as far as triple negative goes, given the fact it hadn’t spread and I’m genetic negative.

“There’s so many girls I’ve connected with out there who are my age or younger who are stage four, terminal triple negative.”

That was in April of this year, since then Ms Smith has undergone weekly chemotherapy sessions.

“It’s five months of really aggressive chemo because I am so young and want to live a long life,” she said.

“They said they’re going to hit it really hard with that aggressive chemotherapy so after that in a couple of weeks, I’ll have surgery either a mastectomy or a lumpectomy.

“And after that I’ll have radiation.

“With the triple negative the recurrence rates are really high – so there’s a 40 per cent recurrence rate within five years so that’s why they’re given me so much chemo.”

Hayley Smith says she’s one of the lucky ones.

So far, her tumours have shrunk 9mm in eight weeks.

Her journey has completely changed her way of life, the bubbly nurse hasn’t been able to work since the diagnosis.

“I called my work from the carpark of my doctor and said I won’t be coming in tomorrow and I haven’t been back since so it’s crazy,” Ms Smith said.

“It just feels really surreal, it just feels like this can’t be happening to me.

“I feel lucky that it’s been caught when I’ve got a chance at fighting it.”

She wants to warn others now, no matter their age to get checked and perform self-examinations.

“I don’t have any family history, I’m 33, I’m young I didn’t realise how common young breast cancer was until I got it,” Ms Smith said.

“Now I’ve seen there’s so many other people out there that are my age or younger with the same thing.

Hayley Smith is fighting triple negative breast cancer.

“We’re not too young, definitely get any sort of changes checked – make sure you are checking monthly.

“Just because you’ve got no family history doesn’t mean it's not going to happen to you, it's really important to be vigilant.”

 Ms Smith has turned to TikTok in a bid to keep her spirits high and reach a younger demographic.

“I just make them, when I’m at chemo at the cancer centre on a Monday, I’m there for nine hours so I’ve got a lot of time,” she said.

“They give you these steroids before chemo and that really gives you an energy kick so I’ll just sit there and make TikToks.

“It's been a really good way to connect with other people who are my age who’ve got the same sort of thing.

“I’ve had a lot of younger girls asking how do I do a breast check what should I be feeling for so I’ve sent them out info.”

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To add to her stress though, while Ms Smith does have income protection insurance – being a shift worker has seen a real drop in her income.

“I didn’t realise it goes off your base rate, so being a shift worker there’s a huge difference,” she said.

“I only work four days a week usually, I work weekends and late‘s and that’s how I get my money is from penalties – it’s definitely been a huge adjustment having that.

“I have been trying the medical marijuana which is working well but it’s very costly and there are a few out of pocket costs for medication and things like that.”

Close friends have rallied around Ms Smith to create a GoFundMe account to try and ease the financial burden.

So far it’s raised $3210 from 36 donors.

To find our more about Hayley’s journey or if you want to donate visit this link.