Redlands Bay mother-of-three faces breast cancer diagnosis after postponing mammogram

A Brisbane mum has bravely shared her story, saying she was diagnosed with breast cancer after postponing her mammogram by two months.

A Brisbane mother-of-three has bravely shared her cancer journey in the hopes of encouraging other women not to put off regular checks.

Redland Bay woman Michelle Kostner was diagnosed with stage three invasive breast cancer after postponing her yearly routine mammogram by two months.

“My husband and I were so shocked with the results that day – I had tried to stay fit and healthy all my life,” she said.

The news rocking the close knit family with Ms Kostner immediately encouraging her sister to be tested.

“I told my sister to go and have a mammogram and she was also diagnosed with stage two breast cancer,” she said.

“She was 43 and thought you had to be in your 50s to start having mammograms.

“We have no previous history of breast cancer in our family, but we consider ourselves very lucky to have found out when we did.”

Sharing her story couldn’t be more timely coinciding with Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

More than 40 Australian women are diagnosed with breast cancer every day; one in every four Queensland women with the disease is treated at a Mater hospital each year.

It comes as Mater breast care specialists reveal results from a six-week exercise pilot program, highlighting the need for women to received written prescriptions for exercise as part of their treatment.

Mater breast care nurse Ash Mondolo said dramatic improvements in health and wellbeing, as well as a reduction in side-effects were noted in the program.

“A written prescription for exercise is necessary for every recovering breast cancer patient,” Ms Mondolo said.

“Mater and Active Rehabilitation Physiotherapy created a program based on the latest evidence that exercise during treatment for breast cancer lowers the chance of physical side effects like fatigue, neuropathy, lymphoedema, osteoporosis, and nausea.

“Specialised women’s health physiotherapists developed the free pilot program specifically for women recovering from breast cancer to improve mobility, strength and balance.”

Ms Kostner said participating in two exercise sessions a week reduced nausea, fatigue and dizziness caused by her treatment.

“It’s been amazing,” she said.

“Not only did the program help with my recovery, but it enabled me to meet a group of breast cancer survivors who have become great friends.

“We meet for coffee with other survivors and provide each other with support regularly.”

Mater Breast and Endocrine Surgeon Dr Chris Pyke said exercise intervention studies were starting to reveal an increase in survival among cancer patients.

“At a biochemical level, exercise is the only intervention that has a proven ability to boost the immune system,” he said.

“There are no downsides to exercise being a routine inclusion in cancer patients’ treatments.”

Active Rehabilitation oncology-trained physiotherapist Phoebe Giffard said the exercise program boosted patients’ moods and energy levels.

“Apart from ensuring patients remain physically active, it enhances psychological wellbeing and creates friendships with people who have been through a similar experience,” Ms Giffard said.

“If exercise was a pill, doctors would carry it in their back pocket.”

Mater’s pilot exercise program was funded by Chicks in Pink, a support and fundraising organisation dedicated to providing care and services to women diagnosed with breast cancer.