Cassandra Thorburn has received an outpouring of love and support after revealing her breast cancer diagnosis.
The 54-year-old shared first hinted at her condition with a photo of her cutting her hair with the caption: “Life really is like a box of chocolates. And this chapter is giving my praline or truffle vibes.”
While she didn’t share any further details she thanked her local hair salon for their “pink scissors program” and their “kick arse clipper treatment”, adding that her hair will “grow back”.
The pink scissors program is a community initiative designed to support those experiencing hair loss due to cancer treatment, offering personalised and specialist salon services for those experiencing treatment-related hair changes.
A day later, she confirmed that she had been diagnosed with triple negative occult breast cancer – a rare and aggressive form of breast cancer.
“On my walk this morning I thought of all the reasons why I made that post yesterday,” she began in her video shared to Instagram.
“Most of it is controlling the only part of my treatment and diagnosis that I can. That’s the part about when the hair comes off and when you tell people.”
Thorburn, who is the ex-wife of Karl Stefanovic and shares three kids with him, shared she doesn’t want to hide her diagnosis because “I am not alone”.
“I am not walking a path that is not well travelled by many women before me and I will not be the last,” she said.
“Breast cancer affects one in seven women in New South Wales, which is where I live.
“I read that sitting waiting for my mammogram not long ago – and I was the one in seven that day.
“My shout out today is the New South Wales Breast Screen, who picked up my triple negative occult breast cancer, which is no small feat if you know what occult breast cancer is. I didn’t – until now.
“I thank them from the bottom of my heart.”
According to ScienceDirect.com, Triple negative occult breast cancer is when nodal metastasis is present but no primary tumour is detected in the breast using scans or physical examinations.
The cancer also lacks the three receptors found on breast cancer cells, requiring systemic chemotherapy and immunotherapy.
Thorburn finished her statement by encouraging other women to not delay their mammograms.
“When your mammogram reminder arrives in the mail, don’t dilly dally. Do as I did – book it straight away,” she said.
“It may have flipped my world in days but there’s no ‘why me’. There’s no poor me here. Just a desire to stop this in its tracks. I don’t need this freeloader. Have a great day.”
Fans were quick to share their support, with one writing: “Sending love and light to you and your beautiful children and family as you navigate through this.”
“Well, you’re rocking the buzz cut like a pro and that was a very important message,” another commented.
Images: Instagram
