‘I’m still alive because of it’: Cancer survivor Jacqui Faliszewski’s research request

Mum Jacqui Faliszewski was breastfeeding when she noticed something unusual. She was “absolutely devastated” by what happened next.

An Adelaide mum, who was diagnosed with breast cancer at only 37 years old, said she wouldn’t be here today for her young daughter if it wasn’t for medical research.

Jacqui Faliszewski was breastfeeding two-year-old Evie when she felt a lump in her breast in 2021.

Initially doctors believed it may be related to breastfeeding, but further investigation revealed the horrific truth.

Jacqui was diagnosed with breast cancer when she was 37 years old in 2021. Picture: Supplied

Jacqui was forced to stop breastfeeding her daughter Evie following her cancer diagnosis. Picture: Supplied

Throughout Ms Faliszewski’s breast was multiple tumours measuring more than eight centimetres.

She was diagnosed with stage three breast cancer.

“It was just a massive shock to the system,” she said.

“I was 37 years old, a new mum, and I had no family history of breast cancer so to receive that diagnosis was completely terrifying.

“Having to tell your family and then seeing their heartbreak, it was just awful.”

Jacqui Faliszewski with her daughter Evie on the first day of school in 2024. Picture: Supplied

Ms Faliszewski is apart of the SAiGENCI Consumer Advisory Group.

SAiGENCI is a world-class cancer research institute which aims to improve treatments and potentially find a cure for cancer.

“It went from zero to 100 in an instant,” Ms Faliszewski said.

“I had to stop breastfeeding that day that I was diagnosed due to the scans and starting chemotherapy.

“It all happened so fast that I was unable to undergo egg collection prior to starting treatment.

“This was absolutely devastating as we were trying to have a second baby at the time.”

Jacqui Faliszewski outside Elder Hall at the University of Adelaide. Picture: Ben Clark

The 37-year-old underwent six months of chemotherapy as well as a double mastectomy, radiation and hormone blockers – all with a goal to see her daughter go to school.

Three years later, in 2024, she was there to see that milestone.

Now Ms Faliszewski is raising awareness of the importance of cancer research and encouraging people to donate to the SAiGENCI appeal.

“I’m really passionate about research – without it, there are no treatments,” she said.

“I’m still alive because of it, my daughter has a mum because of it. You can really change a person’s life.”

Inside the SAiGENCI’s state-of-the-art facility, research is currently underway into breast cancers that affect younger women.

Triple negative breast cancer is one of the targets and the facility has a new drug it is testing which is providing hope.

The drug blocks the protein which regulates the genes that control how the cancer grows and researchers suspect the drug might not only be powerful enough to fight cancer on its own but may also make existing chemotherapies and immunotherapy more effective.

Breast cancer survivor Jacqui Faliszewski with her daughter Evie. Picture: Supplied

Mutations that encourage cancer growth are another focus for SAiGENCI researchers. Mutations in the GATA3 gene appear to be common in younger, pre-menopausal women and researchers are using molecular techniques with cultured human mammary cells to investigate how it could drive cancer formation.

“These are just a few examples of the cutting-research we hope will help us achieve our goal of making cancer history,” Professor Christopher Sweeney, director of SAiGENCI said.

“Our brilliant team of biomedical and clinical researchers are working tirelessly to deliver life-changing and lifesaving treatments for cancer patients.”

The SAiGENCI appeal runs until the end of June. To donate visit here.

Originally published as ‘I’m still alive because of it’: Cancer survivor Jacqui Faliszewski’s research request