Footy legend Matty Johns’s wife reveals the mistake she made before being diagnosed with cancer – and the move that could’ve saved her life

• Trish Johns was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2013
• Ultrasound located lump, turning her life upside down  

By ANDREW PRENTICE FOR DAILY MAIL AUSTRALIA

The wife of footy legend Matty Johns has revealed the importance of ‘taking health into your own hands’ – and how getting an ultrasound potentially saved her life after she made a common health mistake ahead of her breast cancer diagnosis.

Trish Johns was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2013 aged just 42 – thankfully, it was caught early and subsequent surgery, chemotherapy and radiation saw the mother of two eventually given the all clear.

Speaking on the Two Doting Dads podcast this week, the matriarch of the Johns family recalled the most challenging time of her life.

‘I found a little lump, but I had another lump before,’ she told hosts Matty Johnson and Ash Wicks.

‘Because I’d had a lump previously I was meant to go and have scans regularly.

‘But I changed doctors, we had moved (house so I lost track (of things).’

Trish Johns (pictured with husband Matty) has revealed the importance of ‘taking health into your own hands’ – and how getting an ultrasound potentially saved her life

Trish Johns was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2013 aged just 42, but made a full recovery

Matthew and Andrew Johns (pictured together) are sporting royalty in Newcastle after winning the 1997 ARL premiership

Cooper (left) and Jack Johns (pictured right with Trish) both followed in their father’s footsteps and played in the NRL before pursuing different careers

Johns finally went and saw a doctor, informing him she had discovered a lump.

Her GP dismissed the lump as ‘nothing’ – but to reassure herself, a thorough Johns went for an ultrasound.

It proved to be an astute decision – the ultrasound revealed a lump behind her nipple, and after overcoming the initial shock of the situation, Johns went into hospital.

While shattered to lose most of her beloved hair due to chemotherapy, Johns made a full recovery.

‘I decided to take my health into my own hands,’ she said. ‘I did it to tick a box, but I’m thankful I did.’

Johns also urged women of all ages to stop procrastinating and go get checked early.

Fast forward to 2025 and Trish is part of the hugely popular Johns Family podcast, alongside her husband, Fox League identity and Newcastle Knights great Matty, plus their two boys, Jack and Cooper.

She first met Johns when working at a restaurant in her early 20s in Newcastle – and the couple have now been together for 28 years.

Matty also leans on his wife more than most as he doesn’t use a computer or social media.

He writes out everything by hand – which is where Trish comes in.

‘I’m hopeless at everything, and a lot of the time it’s a little chat in my brain,’ Johns revealed in a 2024 interview. 

‘When me and Trish used to argue, she would hold it against me. She would say, ‘Oh well, how about I don’t type your article this week’.’

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Footy legend Matty Johns’s wife reveals the mistake she made before being diagnosed with cancer – and the move that could’ve saved her life

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