Megan Sutton had not long turned 50 when the BreastScreen NSW bus visited Deniliquin in May last year.
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When asked if she would place a promotional poster in the window of her shop, Diggers, by a friend, she was also encouraged to make an appointment herself.
She made the online booking straight away, and the very next day, Megan was off for her very first mammogram.
And she’s glad she did.
The mammogram picked up an abnormality which, after further investigation, was discovered to be breast cancer.
As Breast Cancer Awareness Month draws to a close, Megan has agreed to share her story in the hopes it may help others.
Megan said the diagnosis took her by surprise, and she also learned not everyone with cancer is affected in the same way.
“About a week after the mammogram I got a phone call from the Albury hospital to say to go over for another mammogram and an ultrasound, and I thought ‘oh that's strange’.
“But I wasn’t worried at all because I didn't feel any different.
“I had another mammogram, and then when I saw the doctor she said something had shown up on the scan, but she could not feel a lump.
“When they did the ultrasound that evening - I was there until about 6pm - there were a few nurses in the room at the time and I could see the screen.
“I could see the lump and I could actually see the big tentacles coming off it. It was about 2.5cm.
“When I later saw the breast cancer surgeon in Melbourne, she couldn’t tell me how long it had been there because I hadn't had any prior mammograms, but she did say if I had waited another two years (for the BreastScreen NSW bus to return to Deni) it would have been a totally different story.”
Megan underwent a lumpectomy in Melbourne and immediately started radiation therapy in Shepparton.
She would balance running the business in Deniliquin and travelling to Shepparton every weekday for three weeks for treatment.
“That all went really well, but in the November my breast was sore and hot to the touch, so I was back down to Melbourne.
“They found a seroma - a build up of fluids likely as a result of the previous surgery - and drained about 100ml of fluid out.
“I’ve been on medication ever since and doing well, but I have had a few issues.
“I am now having a full hysterectomy because my cancer was hormone fed and the doctors told me that the breasts and uterus are like brother and sister - everything is related.”
Megan said what “scared” her most is that there were no obvious signs she had cancer before the abnormality was discovered in the mammogram.
But she was later reminded by her husband Dave she had been complaining of breast soreness about a year earlier, lasting about a week but after a long journey in the car.
She said she checked for lumps then, but nothing stood out.
After last year’s mammogram results Megan did another self-check, but again could feel nothing.
That’s because her lump was about 10cm behind her breast, which made her realise just how important mammograms are in the breast cancer check process.
“I know people are scared of them, but seriously, it's not that bad.
“But it’s peace of mind. Go get it done.
“If it comes back all clear, you’re laughing, but if it does show something, the earlier you and the doctors get it the better.”
Megan said she had an amazing medical team supporting her through the ordeal, and great family and friend support.
She said Deniliquin Can Assist was also extremely helpful.
“I met with them, and they told me they could help in a lot of ways, especially the regular trips to Melbourne and Shepparton.
“It’s just a fantastic fantastic organisation, and it’s good to know they are there for all these families that are going through this.
“It's nice just to have that little bit of help because because we're all got bills and things can be costly regardless of how much money you have.”
You don’t have to wait for the BreastScreen NSW to visit Deniliquin again to get a mammogram.
Check screening locations and eligibility at www.breastscreen.nsw.gov.au, and use the online booking system or call 13 20 50 to make a booking at a time and location that suits you.
For more information about Deniliquin Can Assist and how it can help you, go to https://canassist.org.au/.
You can organise a fundraising event by going to https://canassist.org.au/get-involved/fundraise/#authority, or donate via direct deposit to Can Assist Deniliquin - BSB: 633 000, Account: 235432.
Senior journalist