By CAMERON LUCADOU-WELLS
A CANCER survivor and her family are hoping to form a charity to help financially-stricken breast cancer patients meet steep treatment costs.
Keysborough’s Lauren Bryant and husband Justin have faced more than $65,000 of expenses since she was diagnosed with a grade three breast tumour two years ago.
But they are not alone — the mother of two knows many other young women through her Facebook breast cancer support group who have been financially shattered since their diagnoses.
She tells of one member who, having had to give up work and facing countless bills, could not afford petrol to attend radiotherapy sessions. Her Facebook group, the Young Pink Sisters, rallied to her financial aid — even though many themselves were broke.
Mrs Bryant said starting the charity would not be about awareness — “everyone knows they should be checking their boobs” — but to instead help with the out-of-pocket costs. Maxine Morand, chief executive of Breast Cancer Network Australia, said most breast cancer patients were affected financially in some way.
“Women may have to stop or reduce working hours for long periods of time and often have out-of-pocket costs associated with treatments including radiotherapy and MRI scans.
“Many women who have private health insurance often incorrectly assume this will cover all their treatment costs.”
Of course, it’s a tough enough fight without the expense. Ms Bryant was pregnant with her second son Jackson when diagnosed with an aggressive tumour, which was growing one centimetre a week. Soon after Jackson was induced at 34 weeks, his mother was whisked away to start her treatment.
The Bryants opted for private health treatment so they could choose their surgeon, oncologist and other specialists. It also meant Ms Bryant avoided lengthy waits for treatment.
She received $15,000 reconstructive surgery swiftly after her double mastectomy — she knows others still waiting 10 years for a breast reconstruction on the public hospital system.
Other expenses mount: wigs, garments to ease symptoms of lymph gland swelling, gene tests, body scans, chemo and radiotherapy.
This Christmas, the Bryants have printed 1000 full-gloss calendars to raise money for breast cancer patients’ medical expenses. The calendars are whimsical, full of beefy male models coming to the aid of Young Pink Sisters members.
The couple have also decorated their Keysborough house to the hilt, also to promote the cause. An electrically-lit Christmas tree and Santa and reindeer are a showpiece of their front lawn.
Details on the calendar at facebook.com/MummaPsGirls.
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