By NICOLE VALICEK
Altona North resident Mary Smith, pictured with photos of her aunty and grandmother, doesn’t play it safe when it comes to breast cancer.
ALTONA North resident Wendy Smith knows that it does not hurt to play it safe when it comes to breast cancer.
Four years ago Mary’s aunty, Sue Ewin, was diagnosed with breast cancer, and last year, she was diagnosed a second time.
Now in her 50s, Sue is currently doing chemotherapy and takes tablets.
Sue is not the only member of the family to be diagnosed with breast cancer.
“I’ve got it on both sides of my family,” Mary said.
Mary’s grandmother died from breast cancer more than 30 years ago. She was the same age (36) that Mary is today.
Mary has been hosting a “Girls’ Night In” event, to raise money for the Cancer Council for the past four years.
“There are probably a lot of people out there that have been affected by cancer in their families like I have.”
This year, her event, to be held on 27 October, will include a lady from the Body Shop who has donated her time to pamper the girls.
“I think it’s for a good cause and they always need the money to raise for new areas of research.”
Mary has had her own scare last year, when she started getting an unusual pain on the side of her breast.
“They said to me I’m too young, but at the start of the year I was going to a gym and last year I noticed I was getting pain so I went to the doctor and they found some cysts.”
The family doctor, who had delivered Mary, sent her to the surgeon but told her that it was nothing to worry about.
She decided to get the benign lumps removed for her own peace of mind.
“They’re always saying that you’re too young, but you’re never too young because you could always get it.”
“They said it was nothing to worry about, but because of my family history I got them out, but it was all benign.”
“Because of my family history I wanted to put my mind at ease.”
Mary goes for regular checks every two years.
“I’d rather be safe than sorry.”
For more information about hosting your own “Girls’ Night In” events visit www.pinkribbonday.com.au.
