‘I took a shower – then my life changed forever’

An Aussie mum has revealed how she discovered a deadly find during a shower that changed her life forever.

When Claire Ruiter went for a shower one night back in August 2023, she never imagined it would change her life forever.

The 49-year-old mum’s heart stopped when she discovered something strange on her body that she had never noticed before: a lump on her left breast.

Terrified, she rushed to her GP the very next day for an urgent mammogram and biopsy.

A few days later, she was given the devastating news.

She had breast cancer.

“I felt a strange dense oval lump on my chest close to the sternum when I was showering,” Ms Ruiter told news.com.au.

“I thought to myself this does not seem right. I spoke to my husband and he said I should contact the GP to check.

Ms Ruiter’s family have been extremely supportive. Picture: Supplied

“I was a radiographer, so I was worried. I knew what this kind of lump could mean.

“I went through the mammogram and biopsy, and anxiously waited to hear the news.

“It was devastating to hear that I had grade three cancer, that the tumour was malignant.

“My world fell apart and I cried in my husband’s arms. I had no idea what was going to happen.”

With the help of her husband Paul, 52, she got ready to undergo surgery to remove the lump on the September 15, 2023, just over two weeks after she first discovered it in the shower.

Ms Ruiter said she just kept thinking of her two daughters Kate, 18, and Christie, 16, and hoped everything was going to be okay.

Thankfully, doctors caught her cancer rather early, so her prognosis was good.

“My mum had breast cancer when she was 62, so I had undergone mammograms before and was aware that this could happen,” she explained.

“They thought the tumour was 2.5cm, but it ended up being 5cm when they saw it. The doctors removed it along with four lymph nodes from under my left arm.”

After starting treatment, Ms Ruiter recalls feeling anxious about losing her hair as it made the reality of having cancer “so much more real”.

Ms Ruiter was devastated about the diagnosis. Picture: Supplied

The mum let her daughters play with her hair before she lost it. Picture: Supplied

“I lost my hair about the third week, a little after the second cycle of chemotherapy,” she said.

“The idea of losing my hair was worrying me, and I then slowly started letting my close friends and family know that I had breast cancer.

“I decided rather than letting my hair fall out in bits and pieces that we as a family would take control and make it a fun experience.

“My daughters had the chance to cut my hair and play and make different hair designs so that when more hair fell out won’t be so much.”

Ms Ruiter began eight cycles of chemotherapy at the start of October and finished in late January. She underwent 19 radiation treatments in February and March.

Every fortnight she underwent four cycles of Doxorubicin, often called the “red devil” chemo, followed by four cycles of Paclitaxel / Taxol.

The next step for Claire is undergoing hormone treatment and possibly surgery down the track to keep the cancer from returning.

Raising awareness

Sadly, Ms Ruiter’s life has been touched by cancer before, with both of her parents going through it at different stages in her life.

Her close friend also passed away from breast cancer aged just 39.

“Cancer diagnosis is an overwhelming experience and challenges individuals in ways hard to imagine,” she said.

“Many of us have been touched by cancer, perhaps by a personal diagnosis or by a family member or friend diagnosed with the disease.

“My experience: my dad was diagnosed with oesophageal cancer and we were told that he may not even make it after the surgery but fortunately he lasted the operation and after short chemotherapy treatment was able to last many more years.

The family would go for walks everyday to reach their step count goal. Picture: Supplied

“My mum had breast cancer at age of 62 and had a mastectomy and no other treatment. She is still with us today at age of 79.

“My very close friend was diagnosed with breast cancer at age of 38 but sadly passed away at age of 39.”

In November, Claire raised an incredible $1,000 for Canteen Australia by walking 10,000 steps every day.

She also says her family have always been incredibly supportive throughout her journey.

“I have been very fortunate with the way my husband Paul and daughters dealt with the news,” she said.

“It was tough for my husband, as his mother died of breast cancer when she was 42 and he was 14 years old.

“It was also tough for my daughters as my close friend died from breast cancer when they were younger.

“It took us time to let the girls know about my diagnosis as wanted to make sure of all the facts before telling them.

“My family have been incredible. They’ve helped with dinner, washing, keeping the house clean and walking with me every step of the way.

“I chose Canteen to raise awareness and gather support for their efforts to provide quality care for all people touched by cancer.

The family raised awareness through Canteen Australia. Picture: Supplied

“I loved the support and kindness Canteen strives for. I also loved their campaign of 10 000 steps a day as it is a positive manageable goal we should all set for ourselves while striving to supporting the stance of standing up to cancer.”

Ms Ruiter is sharing her story to help raise awareness for breast cancer while also helping others feel less alone in their cancer journeys.

“I focus on the current moment, what I can do today to experience life and be the best version of myself I can possibly be,” she said.

“I try and use every opportunity to raise awareness about my experience and hope that it will help others to be aware and catch cancer early.

“I hope that if they do find something abnormal, to not to be afraid and to seek medical advice.”

The family helped raise $1,000 for charity. Picture: Supplied

Australian statistics

Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer for females in Australia, according to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare.

It is the second most commonly diagnosed cancer in Australia for persons aged 20 to 39 and 60 to 79, and the most commonly diagnosed cancer for persons aged 40 to 59.

Breast cancer incidence has increased from 136 cases per 100,000 females in 2000 to an estimated 150 cases per 100,000 females in 2023.

A large portion of the increase occurred around 2013 when breast screening was expanded to include women aged 70 to 74. Prior to this, breast cancer incidence rates were around 140 cases per 100,000 females in 2012.

In 2023, it is estimated that 213 men were also diagnosed with breast cancer.

Breast cancer 5-year survival improved from 78% in 1990–1994 to 92% in 2015–2019.

In 2023, it was estimated that nearly 3,300 people in Australia died from breast cancer.

You can donate to Canteen Australia or to sign up for a fundraising challenge here.