Macleod mum raises breast cancer awareness with pink lipstick

Paula Ardesi was diagnosed with stage two breast cancer shortly after the birth of her daughter. Now cancer-free, the Macleod mum is an ambassador for Pink Hope. Here’s why she wants you to wear bright pink lipstick in September.

Paula Ardesi is a breast cancer survivor and ambassador for Pink Hope.

It should have been the happiest time of her life for Paula Ardesi.

The Macleod mum had just turned 33, and five months earlier had given birth to her first child, Valentina.

But then she found a lump.

“When I was told the lump I found needed to be investigated I could feel a pit in my stomach starting to form,” Mrs Ardesi said.

“Despite my best efforts to remain calm, everything was moving so quickly, it was hard to keep a hold on my world as it began to spin out of control.

“It was the lowest low I’ve ever had.”

When the biopsy results came back last October, just four days after her birthday, she was diagnosed with stage 2, aggressive breast cancer.

What followed was eight months of chemotherapy, radiation, surgery and egg harvesting to preserve her future fertility.

Then June 13, a week after her mastectomy, she got the news she was in remission.

Today Mrs Ardesi remains cancer free and is an ambassador for Pink Hope’s Bright Pink Lipstick Day, a breast cancer awareness campaign to encourage people to understand their family cancer history.

“I don’t wish away what it was, I’m grateful for the lessons I have learnt along the way, that everything will be okay and that you are so much stronger than you ever gave yourself credit for,” Mrs Ardesi said.

Paula and Adrian Ardesi with their daughter Valentina.

She said Bright Pink Lipstick Day was crucial to encourage younger woman to pay close attention to their bodies.

Pink Hope deputy chief executive Hannah Heather said Bright Pink Lipstick Day was for everyone to have a conversation about their family’s cancer history.

“It can be really confronting to think about but its so important,” Ms Heather said.

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“Paula is good representation of women who are diagnosed with breast cancer young, she is a ball of hope and far more resilient for it.”

More than 20 per cent of breast and ovarian cancers are directly linked to family history.

Bright Pink Lipstick Day is on September 20 and people are encouraged to wear a bright lippy and upload it with the hashtag #brightpinklipstickday.

To donate or host a fundraiser go to pinkhope.org.au

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