Laurieton mum shares powerful message during Breast Cancer Awareness Month

OCTOBER is Breast Cancer Awareness Month in Australia and Laurieton local Jo Dempsey has a message that she wants everyone to hear: “check your boobs.”

In 2019, Jo was a 41-year-old busy mum of three when she found a lump in her breast.

Within days tests showed she had stage three breast cancer.

She underwent surgery during the bushfires and chemotherapy during the COVID pandemic.

While Jo has a family history of breast cancer, she was extremely fit and heavily involved with local sports clubs, so the diagnosis was a huge shock.

Jo told News Of The Area, “I feel that if I had given myself regular breast checks I may have had a different outcome.

“But I can honestly say while this journey has had a huge negative impact physically, mentally, and financially on myself and my family, there have also been some positives.

“The diagnosis gave me the strength to leave an unhealthy relationship and helped me to find my true worth.

“Sometimes it all feels like a bad dream, but then I remind myself that I’m still here.”

This year,Jo was able to return to playing netball, and she is grateful to her employer Coles Laurieton for supporting her in the workplace, as both activities have helped her to remain positive.

Like many survivors she does have conflicted feelings about Breast Cancer Awareness month.

While it does a great job of raising awareness and much needed funding, the constant reminders and endless pink merchandising can trigger PTSD.

Jo has struggled this year as she waits for reconstruction surgery.

This was scheduled for July, but with the public health system under pressure it has been postponed with no indication of timing.

Jo credits the strength of her children Ty, Taela and Tikira, as well as the love of her family and friends, especially her mum, as the reason she survived treatment.

By Rachael THORPE