In New Zealand this year an estimated 2,500 new cases of breast cancer are expected to be diagnosed. The good news is that close to 85% of women now survive this disease. Journalist Carolyn Weston is one of the lucky ones, and her new book on surviving breast cancer is giving hope and encouragement to others.

Carolyn’s story began in 2005, when at the age of 46 she went for a screening mammogram almost on impulse, after the Kylie Minogue case hit the headlines.
She was devastated to receive the news that she did have breast cancer. At first, it seemed like the end of the world, but as her treatment progressed, she met and heard about many women who had not only survived, but had gone on to make incredibly positive changes to their lives as a result.

She found these accounts so uplifting that she decided to create a book of such stories, to give hope to other women facing their own battles.

Carolyn says when she was first diagnosed, she confided in a friend about just how defeated she was feeling.

“She told me that was the wrong attitude for what could be the biggest fight of my life.

“Gradually, as I spoke with other women about their journey with breast cancer, I realised one very important thing – they had all survived! So I came to realise the diagnosis of breast cancer isn’t an automatic death sentence, and the treatment wouldn’t necessarily make me wish I was dead either,” she says.

Carolyn adds that the book of 11 women’s stories is not meant to negate or deny the truly tragic outcomes. It is meant to take the horror out of the initial diagnosis. To help women see that the fight is worth it.

Someone who agrees wholeheartedly is Dr Belinda Scott, breast surgeon and chair of The New Zealand Breast Cancer Foundation’s medical advisory committee.

Dr Scott says Carolyn’s book will help women looking for answers to: ‘How will I do? Am I going to be able to cope with all the treatments? And what support should I put in place?’

As for Carolyn, she says she now takes much better care of herself and her story has inspired many of her friends and acquaintances to have mammograms for the first time.

“At the moment, I feel like I am living my dream lifestyle. Breast cancer isn’t perhaps the easiest way to change your life, but for me it has been a big wake-up call, and every single day I feel thankful”.

Surviving Breast Cancer – inspirational stories from the front By Carolyn Weston Random House: RRP: $24.99 The New Zealand Breast Cancer Foundation is proudly supporting this book and making complimentary copies available to women who have received a diagnosis of breast cancer. Phone 0800 902 732 or email enquiries@nzbcf.org.nz for your copy. The book is also available to buy at bookstores nationwide.

What A Ride, Mate – The Life And  Times Of The Mad Butcher By Peter Leitch with Phil Gifford HarperCollins Publishers: RRP: $49.99 A hugely successful businessman and champion of rugby league, Peter Leitch has also contributed time, money, energy and his heart to countless charities, including The New Zealand Breast Cancer Foundation. Peter has already donated $12,500 to the Foundation from his inspirational autobiography, and hopes to increase that as more copies sell. Available from all good bookstores.

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