Local model, photographer and breast cancer survivor, Laura, says her breast cancer diagnosis at just 33 – without any symptoms – came as a complete shock. But the one thing she’s learned from it, is to never take an ordinary day for granted. Here, she shares her story
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At thirty-three, I didn’t think I had anything to worry about. I felt well. I wasn’t aware of anything being wrong. I hadn’t found a lump or noticed some dramatic change that made me think I should see a doctor. I was simply doing what I’d been advised to do.
Because my mum had breast cancer in her forties, I had been having regular breast ultrasounds every two years from my twenties through to 33. I had been told to know my body, be aware of changes and understand my family history. So I kept getting checked.
And at 33, one of those routine ultrasounds found something. I hadn’t felt it myself. I didn’t know it was there. The ultrasound led to a biopsy. And then came the words no one expects to hear at 33.
Breast cancer.
It’s strange how quickly a routine appointment can change your understanding of your own body. One minute you’re going about your life, the next, you’re being asked to make decisions you never imagined you’d have to make. But looking back, there is one part of my experience I feel particularly strongly about sharing.
I was lucky that it was found when it was.
Not because I had recognised a warning sign, not because I had discovered something myself, but because I was being checked. That distinction matters.
We often hear that we should check our breasts for lumps and changes, and of course knowing what is normal for your body is important. But sometimes there isn’t something obvious to find. Sometimes you can feel completely well, sometimes there are no symptoms at all until it’s too late. And sometimes, the most important thing you can do is simply turn up to the appointment.
For me, early detection meant I had information. It meant I had time. And most importantly, it meant I had choices. I was able to make it with information about what was happening in my body and an understanding of my options.
That is one of the things early detection can give you: options.
It doesn’t mean every cancer can be prevented, it doesn’t mean every cancer will be found early. And it doesn’t mean that regular screening guarantees that nothing will ever be missed. But finding something early can sometimes make an enormous difference.
That is why I think conversations about breast cancer need to include more than awareness of symptoms. They also need to include awareness of your own risk.
Know your family history, know what screening is appropriate for you. Don’t assume that being young means you’re exempt. And if you have a family history of breast cancer, talk to your doctor about what monitoring is right for you.
My mum’s diagnosis meant I knew there was a history in my family. That knowledge changed the way I approached my own health. And ultimately, it led me to the appointment that found my cancer.
I think we can sometimes see health checks as something we do when we’re older, when something feels wrong, or when we’ve been given a reason to be concerned. But a check-up when you feel perfectly healthy can be just as important. Perhaps especially then.
Because the point of screening and monitoring isn’t necessarily to find something wrong. It’s to give you the best chance of finding something if it is there.
I’m a very private person naturally, and I never imagined talking publicly about something as personal as breast cancer. But if sharing what happened to me encourages even one person to make an appointment they’ve been putting off, ask about their family history, or speak to their doctor about whether they should be monitored, then sharing it feels worthwhile.
It’s also why, for the first time since my surgeries, I got back in front of the camera to be involved in this year’s Breast Cancer Cure Tees for a Cure campaign.
For me, it wasn’t just about sharing my experience. It was about using an unfortunate situation and turning it into something positive.
To raise awareness, encourage people to take their health seriously and help raise vital funds for breast cancer research. Because research matters, early detection matters. And knowing your own risk matters. I don’t want my story to leave people feeling frightened.
I want it to leave people feeling empowered. You don’t need to wait until something feels seriously wrong to ask a question. You don’t need to be a certain age to take your health seriously. And you don’t need to feel embarrassed about getting something checked.
If you notice a change, get it checked. If something doesn’t feel right, ask. If you have a family history, talk to your doctor. If you’ve been advised to have regular screening, keep going. And if you haven’t looked into your family history, start there.
My cancer was found because I was being monitored regularly. I had no idea it was there. That appointment changed the course of my life. But it also gave me something incredibly valuable:
Time. Information. Choices. And the opportunity to do something about it.
We often think the important days in our lives will be the big ones: The diagnosis. The surgery. The treatment. The milestones.
But I’ve come to realise that one of the greatest privileges is something much simpler. Another ordinary day. Another morning. Another coffee. Another walk. Another birthday. Another year. Another chance to be here. And sometimes protecting those ordinary days starts with something as simple as making the appointment.
So if you’ve been putting it off, perhaps this is your reminder. Know your body. Know your family history. Know your risk. And get checked. Not because you should be afraid. But because your future is worth looking after. And a reminder to listen when my body whispers.
Because it has been carrying me since the day I arrived here. Perhaps today is a good day to return the favour. To purchase a Tee designed by one of 26 Kiwi designers including Trelise Cooper, Karen Walker and Kiri Nathan visit https://breastcancercure.org.nz/collections/tees OR See the tees in person at The Dressing Room activation between 1st October – 5th October at the NZ International Convention Centre.
