Kylie Armstrong shares breast cancer message on Facebook, gets global attention

WHEN Kylie Armstrong was diagnosed with breast cancer she decided to share a photo of her breast and her story on social media. She never expected this kind of response.

Kylie Armstrong has become determined to warn people that breast cancer symptoms aren’t always about lumps and bumps. Picture: Valeriu Campan

A MUM from Wantirna has become an internet sensation after sharing a photo of her breast with the world — all in the name of survival.

The image of Kylie Armstrong’s breast was never meant to shock or offend, but show breast cancer isn’t all lumps and bumps.

And it’s a message that’s since reached hundreds of thousands of people and even saved lives, after going viral on Facebook and being picked up by an American television show.

Ms Armstrong was first diagnosed in February, after noticing a marking on the side of her breast when getting dressed.

It was very faint and subtle, but still a change to how her body normally looked.

“I didn’t know at the time this was a telltale sign of breast cancer but was certainly worried enough to get it looked at,” Ms Armstrong said.

Her GP referred her onto Ringwood Breast Care’s Rapid Access Breast Clinic and when the results came back positive, Ms Armstrong was booked in at Ringwood Private Hospital.

Her surgery was successful, but she knows many others aren’t as lucky and quickly became determined to warn others of the many faces of breast cancer.

She posted the photo on Facebook, which has since had 200,000 shares, likes and comments.

Ms Armstrong said it had been totally surreal to be contacted by women from across the world who had been checked as a result of her post.

“Sadly at least 10 of those ladies have consequently been diagnosed with breast cancer,” she said.

“The response and all the comments made me aware of just how much pain and suffering breast cancer causes, not just to the one diagnosed but also all those around them and how frighteningly common breast cancer is.

“I want some good to come out of my breast cancer experience … and I’ve had a couple of people report me to Facebook for inappropriate content but thankfully my message is still spreading.”

Ringwood Private Hospital general manager Megan Mills said Ms Armstrong’s message was an important one but for Ms Armstrong, it’s all part of the journey.

“If you see any change at all or see something different, get it checked out,” she said.

“If it’s nothing, it will have cost you time or money but if it’s serious, what’s the cost then?”

Ms Armstrong’s husband Peter will host a Pink Ribbon Breakfast on November 5 at X Golf at Knox Shopping Centre to further raise awareness. Tickets and info: [e-mail] or search Pinkcancercure on Facebook.