1. Self-examine, test and don’t ignore the signs.
In 2021 Kaz noticed something unusual in her right breast while showering. She immediately followed up with her GP, and tests revealed not only four lumps but also cancer in her left breast—something she hadn’t felt at all.
Though shocked by the diagnosis, her first thoughts were of her clients. “I didn’t want to cancel shifts and let them down. I had to wait three days for the specialists to outline the next steps, and in that time, I wasn’t sleeping or eating, and I couldn’t get the diagnosis out of my mind. But being present with my clients gave me a sense of purpose and a break from my worries.” Reflecting on her experience, Kaz says, “I survived breast cancer because I took action when I noticed something was not right. Now I do the same thing with my clients – during personal care time, I consciously check for lumps, things that may not have been there before and anything else unusual. And I encourage other carers do the same thing with their clients. Look out for them, especially when they may not be able to do self-checks themselves.”
[Kaz, before starting her chemotherapy treatment]
2. Remaining at work through treatment gave me purpose.
The day before her 50th birthday, Kaz underwent what was expected to be a simple lumpectomy. Instead, it became an eight-hour surgery, as hidden cancers were discovered. Throughout her recovery, Kaz stayed in touch with her Prestige colleagues and her Carer Lead, Vanessa, asking how she could continue working.
“For me, the best thing was to continue working. Work was my lifeline. It gave me a reason to live and keep fighting. I was so lucky to have the support of Prestige. Even with cancer, life could go on, and being able to work helped me recover faster.”
With her specialists’ approval, Kaz worked three weeks out of every four during chemotherapy. The breaks between treatments allowed her body to recover enough to safely continue caring for her clients.
“Continuing to support my clients gave me a reason to get out of bed each day. I shared with them what I was going through – why I was losing my hair and felt off some days – and they were 100% supportive. Staying engaged in work helped me feel valued, and doing good things for others each day helped me survive.”
3. Cancer brought new meaning to life.
For Kaz, her cancer diagnosis and its journey gave her a new perspective on life. “Looking back, cancer was not a curse. It sent me on a journey that I found I could be good at. It gave me a new “sense of community,” great friends who walked through the journey with me and treated me normally, not with ‘kid gloves’.
“Now, wellness is a gift and I live every day to the fullest. I have a new lease on life and I’m more thoughtful about my second chance at life.”
A key takeaway from Kaz’s journey is that, whether you’re dealing with your own health challenges or supporting someone else, every day offers an opportunity to find strength, build meaningful connections, and embrace life with renewed purpose.
