It was a bit like a ‘ticking time bomb!’

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At the age of 37 Angelina Jolie underwent a preventative double mastectomy after learning she had an 87 percent chance of developing a defective BRCA1 gene.  Thanks to her advocacy and willingness to share her story a decade on we are all aware of the BRCA genes that place women at an increased risk of breast and ovarian cancer.

Little known however is that another gene, the ATM gene, a gene that protects us from cancer, can also cause cancer if that gene is faulty.

In episode 2 of Life Untangled I interview Paige Quartermain and Frances Doggett, both passionate advocates of breast cancer awareness, using their stories to amplify the incredible work of the Treasure Chest Charity. 

At the age of 35 Paige was diagnosed with breast cancer and was immediately thrust into a new world order. As a young mum she underwent aggressive treatment and openly and frankly talks about her medical treatment but also the psychological support that helped her during her darkest days. 

Frances last year, on a different journey, underwent a double mastectomy after being told that she carries the breast cancer ATM gene. Frances, only three years before, lost her beautiful sister to cancer after a 15-year battle – a devastating and tragic loss of a beautiful mum, daughter, wife, and sister.

Both women talk about the grief they have experienced, the importance of family and friends and the challenging conversations about death. A diagnosis of cancer is life changing…….    medical appointments, a schedule of aggressive treatment but also awkward conversations with friends who do not know how to respond, tough conversations with family about death and the what ifs? 

Just as challenging though is reconciling the relentless medical regime with the need to be human. Both Paige and Frances volunteer for the Treasure Chest Charity, founded by Pratika Lal who has used her own experiences to become a positive inspiration to other women battling breast cancer. Pratika’s personal victory against cancer has led her to create the Treasure Chest Charity.

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Website: treasurechestcharity.org.au

Facebook: facebook.com/TreasureChestFoundation

Instagram: instagram.com/treasurechestcharity

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/treasure-chest-charity/

Treasure Chest Charity raises funds to support a variety of initiatives for the Royal Women’s and Royal Melbourne Hospital’s Shared Breast Service. Initiatives include nipple tattooing, scalp cooling, psychological services, Jim’s Mowing and their newest project Counterpart – the Bridge of Support. To find out more and to read stories of inspiration visit https://treasurechestcharity.org.au/stories/

This Sunday at Crown https://treasurechestcharity.org.au/events/ I will join Paige, Frances and fabulous women and men, including the TorchT production team for a wonderful Spring Lunch. All funds will be dedicated to a shared Clinical Psychologist across the Royal Women’s Hospital and the Royal Melbourne Hospital. You can still get involved by donating treasurechestcharity.org.au, joining in the silent auction to win a fabulous Catanachs Diamond https://www.catanachs.com.au/ or volunteer your time for the many events over the calendar year that keep the Charity punching well above its weight!

A special thanks to Piccolina, Felicity Northeast from Blinged, Patterson Cheney, Bendigo Bank and Smile Solutions, all big supporters. Special thanks to the legendary MC Anthony “Lehmo’ Lehmann…… 

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#TreasureChestCharity
#BreastCancer
#BreastCancerCare
#BreastCancerAwareness

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Listen to the episodes here

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