Veteran Gold Coast ABC radio presenter Nicole Dyer announces aggressive breast cancer diagnosis

It was not the announcement that ABC Gold Coast breakfast presenter Nicole Dyer wanted to make - live on air, the radio veteran revealed her heartbreaking breast cancer diagnosis.

IT was not the announcement that ABC Gold Coast breakfast presenter Nicole Dyer wanted to make.

But it was one she had to reveal.

Speaking live, the veteran radio host told listeners she had been diagnosed with aggressive – but treatable – breast cancer just days ago.

This week the mother of 11-year-old Millie began chemotherapy but is determined to continue working as much as she can throughout the year-long treatment process, which will include surgery and radiation.

“My whole working life has been about asking others to talk about themselves and to share things that aren’t always comfortable for them, and I felt it was hypocritical not to do the same,” says Nicole.

QLD_GCB_NEWS_NICOLEDYER_18FEB21

“Listeners are like family, they are with you every day and I feel like I owe them that level of intimacy. Beyond that, if I can use my own diagnosis to help others talk openly and honestly about cancer and treatment and that encourages others to get checked, it’s all worth it.

“However, I did have one person say to me that I should keep it to myself … and then I had to admit I’d just announced the whole thing on air that morning. That was a little awkward.”

Shock diagnosis or not, nothing will rob Nicole of her sense of humour – although the call from her doctor just weeks ago did have her at a loss for words.

Despite receiving the all-clear after a breast check with her GP last September, Nicole, who has no family history of breast cancer, says she noticed a lump in mid-January.

“I didn’t really think anything of it but I thought I better be sure. I saw the GP on a Monday, had an ultrasound on Wednesday and got the call on Thursday night. It all happened so fast.

“I tried not to worry but when I was having the scan, I knew something was off. I think radiographers might need to work on their poker face.

“Even so, you’re still hoping not to hear your doctor say ‘cancer’. And yet, I just remember thinking ‘OK, cancer’. I had prepared for the worst … and it was the worst. But now I knew I had to keep going.

“My partner (ABC reporter Michael Bausch) and I showed up at the oncologist like the journalists we are – notebook and pens in hand, taking notes as we interviewed the doctor. I had to remind myself that the subject of the story was me. It just felt unreal.”

Nicole says while her cancer is aggressive, it is also treatable and was caught at an early stage.

She says despite her many questions, there are still many unknowns as she waits to see how her body responds.

“The worst part right now is that, because we’re doing chemo first and then surgery, I can feel the lump and know that it’s cancer.

“I just want it out, but the medical advice is to blast the area with chemo, kill any other rogue cells, and then remove the lump. I understand it … but that feeling is still there.

“At this stage I don’t know if the surgery will be a lumpectomy or mastectomy. And at this stage, I really don’t care – just get it out. My nickname back in high school was ‘two backs’ and I was fine with that … I’ve never been known for my rack.

“Humour is my weapon, if I joke with everyone I feel like I’m protecting them as much as myself. But I’ll be really honest … I am scared.

“One of the first questions I asked my doctor was ‘if I’m going to die’ – and he said ‘no’. So I’m happy to go with that for now.”

When it comes to protection, partner Michael and daughter Millie are Nicole’s top priorities.

She says the support of her wider work family has been incredible.

“Millie overheard us talking about the diagnosis so we sat down with her and told the truth. We didn’t sugar-coat it but we explained things might be different for a while and she could always come to us with her questions.

“Right now she’s handling it but she knows she can talk to us anytime.

“Outside of home, my work colleagues have just been amazing. We’re a small team in the Gold Coast office and their support has been tangible. Management has been amazing as well, they are letting me lead the discussion on what I can and can’t do and to feel that freedom to make decisions in my best interests is amazing.

“I’m hoping to work as much as I can during this time, and that’s something my doctors have encouraged. I’m not someone who sits still easily and I want to feel purposeful throughout this.”

And then there’s the audience reaction.

After years of listening to Nicole highlight stories of cancer awareness and hosting the Burleigh in Pink breast cancer fundraiser, her good karma has come full circle.

“As confident as I was that telling my story was the right thing to do, I was still incredibly nervous – but the response just blew me away.

“There was so much love and support and gratitude that I was being open about this.

“Reading and hearing those messages was actually the only time throughout this whole thing that I got teary.

QLD_GCB_NEWS_NICOLEDYER_18FEB21

“I printed out every message sent to me and when I’m feeling frightened or down, I just flip through it and I feel better.

“I wish that every person with a cancer diagnosis could get this kind of support. and I’m hoping that by opening this conversation, more people feel comfortable talking about it and asking for help.

“When I make it through this – and it’s not if but when – I know I will be a better person for it.

“’Journey’ might be the clichéd term, but that’s what this is … and I know it’s going to have a happy ending.”