Hobart’s Claire Symons overcomes breast cancer

When diagnosed with an aggressive breast cancer at 34, a Hobart teacher and mother of three did not think she was especially brave.

When diagnosed with an aggressive breast cancer at 34, teacher and mother of three Claire Symons, did not think she was especially brave.

“People kept telling me throughout my cancer journey how brave I was. I was literally in survival mode; autopilot of chemo, doctor, bloods, school-runs, repeat,” she said.

“I did not have a choice – I wasn’t choosing to be brave, it was thrust upon me.”

Ms Symons believed breast cancer affected only older women.

Claire during treatment. Claire Symons of Hobart who faced breast cancer in her 30s and is now wanting to raise awareness about the long term recovery post cancer. Picture: supplied

As Tasmania’s first ambassador for So Brave, Australia’s only young women’s breast cancer charity, she is now on a mission to raise awareness and fundraise for research.

One of the most challenging conversations she ever had was telling her children aged 5, 6 and 8 that she had cancer.

“Life did not stop just because I had a cancer diagnosis – it couldn’t.

“I underwent 6 months of chemotherapy to shrink the cancer and target it, a further 12 months of immunotherapy and bilateral mastectomy surgery.

“Undertaking treatment as well as keeping our family life as normal as possible was utterly exhausting.

Claire with children Campbell 10 and Elsie 7. Claire Symons of Hobart who faced breast cancer in her 30s and is now wanting to raise awareness about the long term recovery post cancer. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

“I was lucky that my cancer was caught while still in an early stage, so my prognosis was good, and I can say happily that the treatments have worked and I am now cancer-free!

“I am still finding some lingering effects of treatment, such as fatigue and ‘chemo brain’ - which is like a mental fog and impaired memory - but I am feeling strong post cancer, and getting stronger.”

Ms Symons says five per cent of women diagnosed with breast cancer this year will be aged under 40, “yet disproportionately, 10 per cent of deaths from breast cancer will be women in this age bracket”.

“Rates of cancer recurrence are higher in young women than an older demographic, tumours are typically more aggressive, yet screening is not available for women under age 40 unless you have a family history, and even then can be cost prohibitive,” she said.

Claire with son Campbell. Claire Symons of Hobart who faced breast cancer in her 30s and is now wanting to raise awareness about the long term recovery post cancer. Picture: supplied

Driven to help others, she and her mother Heidi have come up with a 22m Aardvark Adventures abseil at kunanyi/Mt Wellington on April 9 to raise at least $15,000 for So Brave.

“We considered what else you would need to be so brave to do, and our thoughts went to abseiling.

“The difference here, unlike a cancer diagnosis from left field, is that people can choose to be brave to participate.”

Journalist and family friend of 35 years, Brent Costelloe says he and colleague Cam Brown decided to show their support and urge others to fill the four remaining places on the challenge.

Claire with children Campbell 10 and Elsie 7 and husband Toby Symons. Claire Symons of Hobart who faced breast cancer in her 30s and is now wanting to raise awareness about the long term recovery post cancer. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

“I abseiled off the Wrest Point tower a few years ago,” Costelloe said. “The first step off was terrifying but once I’d done that, the view was spectacular and I imagine the mountain will be just as good.”

To register or to donate, please visit: www.fundmychallenge.org