Woman shares her cancer survival story after she was diagnosed with stage three breast cancer at 48

A nurse who was diagnosed with stage three breast cancer after noticing a change in the shape of her nipple has warned women to be diligent with breast checks. 

Alison Kristensen, from Brisbane, was 48 years old in March 2015 when doctors discovered a 60 millimetre tumour in her right breast and told her she needed to undergo emergency surgery.

‘I will never forget the phone call where the doctor told me “Alison, you have breast cancer,”‘ Alison, now 52, told FEMAIL.

Alison had no family history of the disease but decided to have a mammogram when she noticed her nipple looked ‘abnormal’ in the mirror and felt a small ‘mass’ in her right breast.

Brisbane nurse Alison Kristensen (pictured) was diagnosed with stage three breast cancer after noticing a change in the shape of her nipple

‘I went to the Wesley breast screening clinic in Brisbane to have a mammogram and screening done,’ she said.

Alison had no family history of cancer

Alison had no family history of cancer

‘I was at work when they told me the screening results and was urgently sent to a private surgeon.’ 

Alison described the whole experience as ‘painful, surreal and traumatising’ and said she had avoided checkups because she never noticed any worrying symptoms.

Shortly after the diagnosis Alison had a mastectomy to remove the breast as well as radical axillary lymph node dissection to remove any cancerous lymph nodes.

‘I woke up in the recovery room in excruciating pain and was given medication before being wheeled to my room,’ she said. 

When the realisation of losing her right breast sunk in, she quickly ‘became distressed’. 

Shortly after the diagnosis Alison had a mastectomy to remove the breast as well as radical axillary lymph node dissection to remove any cancerous lymph nodes

Shortly after the diagnosis Alison had a mastectomy to remove the breast as well as radical axillary lymph node dissection to remove any cancerous lymph nodes 

When the realisation of losing her right breast sunk in, she quickly 'became distressed'

When the realisation of losing her right breast sunk in, she quickly ‘became distressed’

The surgery took place on March 8 and Alison was sent home two days later.

‘The pain in my chest was so intense and the nerve pain around the surgery area was horrendous for a number of weeks.

‘I went home with a chest drain that had to be emptied out daily as it would fill with blood,’ she said. 

‘I had every type of treatment recommended with chemotherapy starting two weeks after surgery. I had it every third Tuesday, along with daily radiation for the first five weeks.’

Alison ‘felt like she was dying’ after the first week of chemotherapy and couldn’t stop crying.  

'I had every type of common treatment recommended - chemotherapy every third Tuesday and I had radiation daily for the first five weeks'

Alison described how she 'felt like she was dying' after the first week of chemotherapy treatment and couldn't stop crying

Alison ‘felt like she was dying’ after the first week of chemotherapy treatment and couldn’t stop crying

What are the common symptoms of breast cancer?

* Breast lumps

* Changes in size or shape of breasts

* Changes to the skin including dimpling, a rash or puckering of the breast

* Changes to a nipple such as turning in or just feeling different to usual

* Abnormal nipple discharge

* Inflamed breast where your breast may look red or swollen

* Hard breasts

* A red, scaly rash on the breast

* Breast pain

Source: Cancer Council Australia

Alison works as a mental health nurse and was previously contracted with the Australian military, assisting traumatised soldiers returning home from overseas.  

Throughout her cancer ordeal, Alison used mindfulness and music to lift her spirits, as she was determined not to fall victim to the disease.

‘It was a tough time and there were many tears, especially once I slowly started to lose my hair and had to wear bandanas or hats,’ she said. 

‘But I had to work, I didn’t stop working and just kept going.’ 

Alison’s positive mindset, spirit and good sense of humour helped her to push through the experience of having  cancer.

She now encourages women to have their breasts checked by a doctor, even if they assume nothing is wrong.

Throughout her cancer ordeal, Alison used mindfulness and music to lift her spirits, as she was determined not to fall victim to the disease

Her positive mindset, spirit and good sense of humour helped her to push through the experience of having cancer

Alison’s positive mindset, spirit and good sense of humour helped her to push through the experience of having cancer

To celebrate five years of being clear of cancer, Alison decided to go on the holiday of a lifetime overseas.

‘Last year in November I said to myself “I’m alive, I’m healthy and I’m happy, so I’m going to quit my job in Brisbane, rent out my apartment and venture off to Italy”,’ she said. 

Alison is currently travelling around Italy on the holiday of her dreams.

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