You may have noticed things have gotten a little… ‘pinker’ in your atmosphere this October. That’s because this month is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. If you weren’t aware of this, you’re not alone—neither was I before 2018.

Three weeks before setting off on a one-way trip to London to start a new chapter, I was in the shower, minding my own business. When lathering my body wash under my right armpit, I felt something out of the ordinary: it felt like there was a golf ball underneath my skin. 

In a total panic, I spoke to my mum, who insisted we go and see a doctor the very next day. Due to my young age, I was assured it was simply calcification, but was ordered to do a biopsy ‘just in case’. Lo and behold, this biopsy from the lump turned out to be malignant (that’s the bad one, FYI) and after many a scan, poke and prod, I was diagnosed with Stage 2A ER+ Breast Cancer. 

At 27 years of age. 

I could barely believe it.

Fast forward through 6 months of chemotherapy, three body-altering breast surgeries and 23 rounds of targeted and acute radiotherapy, and I stumbled out the other end. With my life in pieces and normalcy nowhere to be found, it was time to begin again and move forward as a stronger, more health-conscious individual.

Except three months after this, at my first routine scan to check that “everything was fine” and the treatment had done it’s job, I was dealt with the biggest blow of all: that little f*cker had made a permanent home in my body, and metastasised to my bones. My brain left my body as I listened in disbelief to my oncologist explain that it was now considered advanced cancer, and “treatable, but not curable.” I will be on treatment for life, until it stops working and eventually takes over my body.

This life-limiting diagnosis was handed to me three-and-a-half years ago, and by some miracle, I’m still here. My chances of living beyond 5 years are only 32%, but we hold onto the hope that medical breakthroughs and technology are advancing at rapid rates, so that one day this diagnosis will not be a death sentence.

So now you’ve got a bit of context, you can understand my love-hate relationship with ‘Pinktober’.

And for some, it may be the first time they’ve checked their breasts, learnt how harsh treatment can be on the body, or heard the statistic that 1 in 7 women will be diagnosed in their lifetime. 

But there’s nothing pretty or pink about breast cancer. To create real change—real impact—research, resource and patient support are paramount. Here’s my top tips to break the wheel and not become a cog in the ‘pink machine’ during October:

1. Check what percentage of the sale is going to the nominated organisation: Do your math (real math, not girl math!) Are you spending $100 on a product, when only $2 is making it back to the charity? That doesn’t add up.

2. Identify what organisation the proceeds will go back to: Is the product claiming to ‘raise money for breast cancer’ without saying exactly where the proceeds will end up? Red flag, honey.

3. Research the organisational impact: Once the funding reaches the nominated organisation, how will they use the funds? Are they distributed to researchers, or go towards patient support programs?

4. What about the other 11 months? It’s very convenient to jump onboard and promote ‘pink products’ during October, but is there any commitment beyond this month? Look for companies that continue to support breast cancer programs year-round.

5. Donate directly: As tempting as it is to snap up something pretty and pink for a ‘good cause’, unless it’s something you were going to buy regardless, consider donating directly to an organisation like National Breast Cancer Foundation, Pink Hope, Breast Cancer Trials, Cancer Chicks or So Brave – Australia’s Only Young Women Breast Cancer Charity. It’s tax deductible, and you know that 100% of your donation will reach the organisation. Win-win!

To help you think before you pink, here’s the best products to buy (including their supported organisation and percentage donated) during Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

P.S Check your boobs! — Katie x x