“I’m still alive because of it”: Cancer survivor’s research request
An Adelaide mother who was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 37 has urged people to dig deep to support cancer research, saying she wouldn’t be here today if not for science and her young daughter.
In 2021, Jacqui Faliszewski was breastfeeding two-year-old Evie when she felt a lump in her breast. Initially thought to be related to breastfeeding, further medical investigation led to a devastating discovery – Jacqui had multiple tumours measuring more than eight centimetres in her breasts and was subsequently diagnosed with stage three breast cancer.
“It was just a massive shock to the system. I was 37 years old, a new mum and I had no family history of breast cancer so to receive that diagnosis was completely terrifying. Having to tell your parents and your family and then seeing their heartbreak, it was just awful,” said Jacqui, who is part of SAiGENCI’s Consumer Advisory Group.