A mishap playing in a squash tournament led to a breast cancer diagnosis for an Alexandra woman and her message to people today is if it feels different get it checked.

Susan Heal (49) said after getting hit on the boob 13 years ago she had a bruise that didn’t go away so she went to her doctor.

“The GP checked it, then within a fortnight I went to Dunedin for a scan.

“That was 28 December 2011, I was diagnosed officially on 6 January 2012.”

Susan said at her biopsy appointment the attitude of health staff changed instantly.

“We knew then that it wasn’t good news.”

She had surgery on February 9 and a 284 gram, grade III tumour and two lymph nodes were removed after a nine centimetre long cut was made on her right breast.

“Initially, they didn’t take me seriously as [breast cancer] was seen as a young ladies problem.”

She was 36 when diagnosed, and faced six rounds of chemotherapy and then six rounds of radiation.

Susan on the day her chemotherapy finished. PHOTO: Supplied 

“I worked all the way through it… and I had amazing friends support me, they never let me feel sorry for myself.

“I remember still trying to play squash, I got a wig and took it off during a tournament as it got too hot, that shocked my opposition.”

Susan said the Cancer Society helped her pay for the wig, which she still has today.

“It was blonde and straight, like Jennifer Anniston, something I could never have.”

For her husband at the time that was the point when her diagnosis hit home.

“He really struggled when I cut my hair off… that was when it all became real.”

She stayed in Daffodil House in Dunedin during her cancer treatment and said the support from providers such the Cancer Society, Breast Cancer Foundation New Zealand and Look Good Feel Better was amazing. 

During the year of her treatment and the period immediately after, which she described as a “traumatic 18 months” she made close to 100 trips to Dunedin.

“With [each trip] there was the stress of having a day off, wondering what the results are going to be.”

An error during her radiation treatment resulted in 40 per cent of one of her lungs being burnt by radiation.

“It took a lot to get over it and accept that I couldn't do as much as what everyone else does.”

These days she enjoys running and mountain biking throughout Central Otago and every year she goes for a check up and some nerves bubble back up when thinking about the results.

“There is still an element of doubt, you hear of a lot of people where [cancer] has come back. If I’ve got a sore back, I think is it in my bones?”

“As time goes on, it’s not as significant any more… but it was probably five years for my body to come right afterwards.”

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Breast Cancer Foundation NZ’s Pink Ribbon street appeal is on Friday and Saturday. 

Central Otago residents are being encouraged to get behind Breast Cancer Awareness month this October. PHOTO: SUPPLIED 

More than 500 volunteers will be collecting throughout Otago to raise funds for breast cancer research, education and patient support programmes.

Fundraising events of all sizes are being run across the district in connection with the breast cancer awareness month.

Cromwell woman Anthea Lawrence, who had breast cancer last year, organised a 5km walk from the Cromwell Boat Club, around the lake to Old Cromwell Town on October 13.

Participants wore pink outfits and raised $1,184 for breast cancer research, education and patient support.

Pink ribbon street appeal Alexandra coordinator Kate Snape said they were two volunteers short for a 3-5pm spot on Friday. To help email [email protected] 

Breast Cancer Foundation chief executive Ah-Leen Rayner said the funds raised will make a difference in making sure breast cancer patients can get the support they need, New Zealanders can learn about the importance of early detection, and research is carried out to find better treatments.

Every year about 240 women in the Southern region are diagnosed with breast cancer. If diagnosed early, the survival rate for breast cancer is 92 per cent.

BCFNZ is urging all women to be ‘’breast aware’’ to give themselves the best chance of surviving breast cancer – that means getting to know the normal look and feel of their breasts, regularly touching and looking for any changes, and getting changes checked by a GP as soon as possible. 

Donations can be made to volunteer collectors across the country, at www.pinkribbonappeal.co.nz or by texting PINK (2447) to donate $3.

Read more: Cromwell sign to glow pink this October