Brisbane pregnant mum Kymme Davey’s shock cancer diagnosis

A Brisbane mum was diagnosed with breast cancer two weeks before giving birth to her second child, leaving her unable to breastfeed after ongoing treatment.

Data has revealed women over 35 are six times more likely to be diagnosed with breast cancer, which proved a shocking reality for a 36-year-old Brisbane mum who was diagnosed just two weeks before giving birth.

Older mums are being urged to remain vigilant about changes to their breasts during pregnancy and breastfeeding with Mater surgeon Dr Carissa Phillips warning about seven women per 100 000 in Australia are diagnosed with gestational breast cancer each year.

Dr Phillips said while pregnancy and breastfeeding created changes to the body and breasts, women should not dismiss lumps, skin puckering and other changes as a normal part of becoming mothers.

Stafford Heights mum and architect Kymme Davey, 36, was shocked when she was diagnosed with breast cancer in March, two weeks before giving birth to her son Samuel. She was 35 weeks into her pregnancy.

Brisbane mum and architect Kymme Davey, 36, was shocked when she was diagnosed with breast cancer in March. Photo: contributed.

“I found a grape-sized lump in one of my breasts while having a shower and I dismissed it as a blocked milk duct,” Mrs Davey said.

“I was in total shock when I got the news from my GP that it was breast cancer. I was in denial. I had a toddler, Florence, and a newborn on the way and wasn’t quite sure what was going to happen.

“My preparation to go on maternity leave turned quickly to sick leave.”

Dr Phillips, who was Mrs Davey’s doctor, developed a treatment plan to ensure the safe delivery of her baby.

“Kymme had a specific, individualised care plan that involved her baby being born safely before any cancer care treatment began,” Dr Phillips said.

“Protecting the baby and providing Kymme with the support she needed was essential.”

After Samuel was delivered, Kymme immediately began a series of tests and treatments including a lumpectomy, a PET scan, chemotherapy, radiation, and a sentinel node biopsy.

With October being Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Mrs Davey is encouraging women not to become complacent or ignore changes to their breasts during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

“My dad died from bowel cancer when he was 49 so I have always made sure I’ve had checks for that – but I had not thought of breast cancer,” Mrs Davey said.

“Get checked out, it’s better to be safe than sorry.”

Brisbane mum and architect Kymme Davey would like to encourage older mums to get checked out for breast cancer. Photo: contributed.

Mrs Davey said life had been a whirlwind since Samuel was born.

“With a toddler and a newborn, there’s no time to wallow or feel sorry for myself,” she said.

“It was always going to be a big job with two kids but add in a cancer diagnosis and it went up a level.”

She said the hardest part of being diagnosed with breast cancer during her pregnancy was not being able to breastfeed her newborn.

“Due to breast surgery and ongoing medical treatment it was going to be too complicated,” she said.

“When I had Florence, breastfeeding came so naturally and easily to me but I now have a whole new perspective on it.

“If I was to give any advice to other women, I’d say keep checking yourself and don’t dismiss anything. It could be the difference between life and death.”