Kristy Wales shares breast cancer story ahead of Sydney’s Pink Test
Kristy Wales was 26 when she was diagnosed with breast cancer - her nurse made sure she didn’t go through it alone.
When 26-year-old Kristy Wales sat waiting in the hospital to start her chemotherapy she was totally alone.
After being diagnosed with Stage 2 breast cancer in 2021 during the height of Covid lockdowns, none of her family and friends were able to travel to be with her as she went through 12 rounds of chemotherapy.
“My mum only came with me to one chemo session before everything was totally locked down - I was doing everything by myself,” Ms Wales said.
“I was in the treatment centre and literally everyone else is 80-years-old and I’m thinking I’m just 26, what on earth am I doing here.”
Two years on, with the help of her McGrath Foundation breast care nurse Elaine Arnold, Ms Wales is cancer free.
With the McGrath Foundation Pink Test starting at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Wednesday to raise money for more nurses, Ms Wales said it was important for people in their twenties to know breast cancer just doesn’t affect those who are older.
After finding a lump unexpectedly in the shower, Ms Wales was shocked to learn she had developed breast cancer at such a young age and without any family history of the disease.
She said without the help and support Ms Arnold she would have felt more alone.
“There’s so much confusion when it comes to cancer treatment and how it will affect the rest of your life,” the now 28-year-old said.
“It was just amazing to have someone who has been on this journey with so many different people to provide wonderful advice and who actually understands what the doctors are saying.”
Ms Wales, who had her dream job working in the fashion industry, described herself as being the happiest and healthiest person prior to her diagnosis.
Yet it was the prospect of losing her hair which really scared her.
“It was all very confronting, losing hair freaked me out because everyone was going to know and you can’t keep it to yourself,” she said.
McGrath Foundation president Glenn McGrath said he hoped this year’s Pink Test will raise enough funding to bring the number of breast care nurses from 204 to 250.
“That’s what it’s about, it’s about the families, it’s about their nurses who are absolutely incredible and today it’s great to see Kristy going incredibly well.”
To buy a virtual seat to the Pink Test and support McGrath breast care nurses click here.
Originally published as Kristy Wales shares breast cancer story ahead of Sydney’s Pink Test
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