Unexpected cancer diagnosis shocks music teacher into action
TOOWOOMBA music teacher Melissa Philp’s life was turned upside down when she was given a breast cancer diagnosis.
As a busy 42-year-old mum to her two children, and four foster children, being told the lump in her breast was an aggressive form of cancer set in motion a series of life-changing events.
“This lump came up out of nowhere,” Mrs Philp said.
“I went to the doctor and didn’t think much about it, and the doctor wasn’t too concerned at that stage either,” she said.
“But the results came back that I had an aggressive breast cancer; it turned my world upside down.”
Mrs Philp underwent surgery, radiation and chemotherapy in her bid to become cancer-free.
“It was a really stressful, hectic time,” she said.
“But I received advice from friends and family about taking each day as they come.”
Focusing on the here and now helped Mrs Philp get through her treatment but it also challenged her to reflect more broadly on her life.
“I knew I would get through that treatment okay, but once I was finished I had a new outlook on life and that changed everything,” Mrs Philp said.
“Everything became very clear after cancer,” she said.
“I got fitter, lost 20 kilograms and I made the decision to move to Toowoomba.
“I had no job, but I knew it was going to work.
“I restarted my life, built a new life and remarried in April this year.”
And while Mrs Philp obviously doesn’t recommend waiting for a cancer diagnosis to re-evaluate your life, she encourages others to consider their happiness.
“Get out there; it is possible to change things,” she said.
“I feel like I am in a good place now.”
She also recommends women become advocates for their own health and to take charge when things don’t seem right.
“I didn’t do ‘self checks’ but it (the cancer) became quite large quite quickly.”
“I really didn’t expect it to be cancer.”
BreastScreen Queensland Toowoomba Service health promotion officer Alexandra Robbins-Hill said Mrs Philp’s story highlighted that all women, regardless of their medical history, should have regular breast screens from the age of 40 years.
“The BreastScreen Queensland Toowoomba Service offers free breast screens to all women aged over 40 years,” Ms Robbins-Hill said.
“It is important that women who turn 40 to book in for their first breast screen and to continue to have screens every two years,” she said.
“But it is equally important for older women
to keep on top of their checks.
“As Melissa has pointed out, cancer can develop quite quickly — one breast screen is not enough.”
The BreastScreen
Queensland Toowoomba Service is located at 661 Ruthven Street (the old Spotlight building) and features plenty of free parking off Warner Street.
“Appointments only take
around half an hour and they can be a life saver,” Ms Robbins-Hill said.
To schedule an appointment call 132 050 or book online at breastscreen.qld.gov.au.