Tyabb mum Chantelle Elliott, 38, diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer after being diagnosed with thyroid cancer almost seven months earlier
A Tyabb mum who is already battling thyroid cancer has faced a second devastating diagnosis, but is determined to not give up the fight.
South East
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A mum of two from Victoria’s southeast who is already battling cancer has had another shocking cancer diagnosis just eight months later but is determined to fight — and beat — both conditions.
Tyabb mum Chantelle Elliott, who worked as an education supporter at a primary school, was diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer, known as HER2 positive invasive ductal carcinoma, earlier this year — just eight months after she was diagnosed with thyroid cancer.
Ms Elliott — supported by her husband Tim and daughters Aria and Asta — said her young family’s wellbeing was her “biggest worry”.
“My husband and I got married in December 2023 so then six months after that, I was diagnosed with thyroid cancer and then six months after that, I’ve been diagnosed with breast cancer,” she said.
“It’s been some of the toughest times of our lives when it was meant to be some of the nicest times.”
For treatment, Ms Elliott will have to endure months of chemotherapy, a double mastectomy, reconstruction and possibly radiation treatment.
She said she recently had an appointment with an oncologist and would start chemotherapy next week for six months plus immunotherapy for 12 months.
“I also opted for a drug that is not on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) and was $6000 for six infusions,” Ms Elliott said.
She added the support she received was outstanding and it had been a humbling experience.
“I just can’t even begin — asking for help is really tough,” Ms Elliott said.
“For me, it’s definitely something that I’m not used to, but the support from my community has been incredible.”
Ms Elliott said coffee shops in Tyabb organised a “Coffee for Chan’s Cans” fundraiser and all their coffee sales went towards helping her on her breast cancer journey and assisting her GoFundMe page that has raised more than $20,000.
“My family are doing the walk for breast cancer awareness on Mother’s Day — it’s just been incredible,” she said.
“Like the footy clubs, the netball clubs and the community spaces like Facebook pages — everyone has just been posting it (the GoFundMe) and re-sharing.
“It has honestly blown Tim and I away.”
Ms Elliott said she knew something wasn’t right with her body and therefore went to the doctors.
“I’m only 38 years old and I’ve now had my second cancer diagnosis — I would want them (other people) to make sure they’re aware of their body,” she said.
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“The best thing that I’ve had is the people around me, and my husband has been a soldier through this whole thing.
“I did spend pretty much a whole week non-verbal after my (second) diagnosis — I was just in so much shock — and I was just so uncomfortable.
“But now I’ve got talking to people and actually getting the word out — I will be well again, I’ve got a family to raise.
“That’s my fight.”
Ms Elliott said in her spare time, herself and her husband explored the wineries and ate and drank their way around the peninsula.
“That’s what we would normally be doing — instead of a honeymoon, we bought a camper trailer so we’ve been enjoying camping and just spending time with our young kids,” she said.
