Marshall mum shares ‘fast’ journey from cancer diagnosis to treatment

A Marshall mum, who is a junior footy coach and teacher, learnt she had the “worst type” of breast cancer just months after a clear mammogram.

Ashley and Michelle Mahoney, who is battling an aggressive form of breast cancer and wants to raise awareness for how quickly cancer can develop.

                                

Marshall mum Michelle Mahoney learnt she the “worst type” of breast cancer just months after returning a clear screening result.

Ms Mahoney’s routine mammogram came back normal in October, but she found changes in her breasts six weeks ago.

Within two weeks and after some biopsies, the 53-year-old was told she had stage three breast cancer.

“Things moved very quickly, I was seeing a surgeon and an oncologist and within about a week and a half I had my first round of chemotherapy,” Ms Mahoney said.

“Unfortunately I have the worst type of breast cancer you can — it’s called triple negative, and my case is very aggressive.

“My oncologist suspects my cancer has probably only been there about four or five months.”

Michelle Mahoney, centre with under-10 Belmont Lions football team manager Sarah Henderson, husband and co-coach Ashley and the team during a club fundraiser, Roar for the Mahoney’s, as she battles breast cancer.

Ms Mahoney said she was lucky she had noticed the changes herself.

“Be aware, please check your own body and know your own body well,” she said.

“Don’t think you won’t get cancer – I also thought I wouldn’t and I have.”

Ms Mahoney, with her husband Ashley, coaches the Belmont Lions under-10 football team.

Her youngest son Levi plays in the team and her eldest son Noah plays in under-12s.

She said she informed the club she wouldn’t be able to coach next year as beating cancer would be a long road, and the club rallied behind her and the family.

“The club wanted to do what they could to show support and asked would it be OK if they did some fundraising for us,” she said.

Michelle Mahoney's son Levi during a club fundraiser for her as she battles breast cancer.

“Ash and I cannot ever truly express the gratitude we have for everyone at the club who helped make it possible, whether by donating, bidding or sharing the (fundraising) page, we appreciate you all.

“It hasn’t just raised awareness in the community but also the money will help us a long way with medical expenses and days off work we will need in the coming years.”

Belmont Lions players also donned pink armbands to raise awareness at their recent home game.

The club raised about $6800 through its online fundraiser, Roar for the Mahoneys, since the end of July.

Ms Mahoney is the acting assistant principal at St Francis Xavier School and said she expects to need radiation, chemotherapy and surgery as treatment.

She said she was currently in hospital recovering from a hypersensitive reaction to her first round of chemotherapy and immunotherapy.

The content summaries were created with the assistance of AI technology, then edited and approved for publication by an editor.

Originally published as Marshall mum shares ‘fast’ journey from cancer diagnosis to treatment