Stories

Please tell us your experiences with cancer prevention or care in South Australia.

Please include within your story whether you are:

  • experiencing or have experienced cancer 
  • supporting or have supported someone with cancer 
  • a health professional 
  • a researcher
  • other.

Your story will help us to understand the experiences of people in South Australia with cancer and those who are caring for or supporting those with cancer.  

Your story will be published on this site and available to be read by the public.  Please remember to remain respectful and do not include any information that could compromise the privacy of yourself or other.

Thank you for taking the time to share your story with us and contribute to the SA Cancer Plan.  We will read what you have said and incorporate the themes from everything we hear into a report that will be released publicly.  The information in the report will inform the development of the SA Cancer Plan.  

Please keep a watch on the YourSAy website for regular updates and future engagement opportunities on the SA Cancer Plan. 

CLOSED: This discussion has concluded.

  • Car T Cell: SA needs it.

    by Jaypo, about 2 years ago
    I have been living with cancer on and off since 2012, namely large diffuse B cell Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. My first experience was in the private system but after a relapse in 2019 I was referred to Dr. Uwe Hahn and his team at the RAH. After a stem cell transplant I once more achieved remission. Things became more tricky when I again relapsed in 2022. This time I was offered Car T Cell Therapy. For anyone unfamiliar with this it is quite literally the stuff of science fiction. Cells are harvested from your body, sent to America where your cells... Continue reading

  • AL Amyloidosis - a bone marrow related cancer

    by Lyall Pearce, about 2 years ago

    From my Sisters perspective, as a primary carer.

    Everybody’s journey is unique, everyone reacts to medications &treatment procedures differently. This is about my brother’sjourney with Cardiac (AL) Amyloidosis through my eyes as one of hisclosest advocates. I share this story in hope that it may helpothers; especially if you are like me and are wanting to help &support your sick loved ones too. The bottom line is never give-up,there is always hope.

    My Name is VeronicaPearce. I’ve been living in the USA as an expat Australian since1999. In October 2015 I was on a morning walk in San Antonio(Texas), when... Continue reading

  • Cancer Services down South needs help!

    by Mon, about 2 years ago
    I work in Flinders Cancer Clinic, the only Major public oncology service down south.


    We are grossly understaffed and can not get approval for more FTE for consultants - in fact we are losing consultants and new patient spots.

    We have patients that require urgent review and cancer treatment planning after diagnosis, and these patients can sometimes wait weeks to months. We are not meeting standards of seeing patients within time frames because of staff shortage.


    The shortage of doctors to see the patients is just part of the problem. We have expanded our chemotherapy unit to include more beds... Continue reading

  • Group hydrotherapy for people with cancer

    by Glenys Williams, about 2 years ago
    I am an Accredited Exercise Physiologist working in a rural community in South Australia. One of the local cancer support groups contacted me about providing a weekly exercise session in a hydrotherapy setting for their members. This group is taken through a physical activity routine that covers cardiovascular endurance, upper body and lower body strength, core strength and balance, in a gentle, warm environment that enables low stress movement. Many people undergoing cancer have physical complexities, and stressful lives, and this exercise modality achieves an increase in physical activity participation, as well as taking into consideration their physical issues, and... Continue reading

  • Exercise for improved mobility and comfort following breast cancer surgery

    by ClaireNeylon, about 2 years ago
    I work as an Accredited Exercise Physiologist in a community setting. I want to share a story about a lady who came to see me a year post breast cancer treatment. She had had a bilateral breast tissue and lymph node removal and radiation, and as a result reasonable scar tissue across her chest. This scar tissue was causing her significant pain and restriction and causing other musculoskeletal problems with pain in her upper back and shoulders. After two sessions with her in a 1:1 exercise physiology setting and sending her home with a tailored home exercise program she experienced... Continue reading

  • Mammograms aren’t always the best diagnostic tool

    by Trudie Cain, about 2 years ago

    I was diagnosed with breast cancer 4yrs ago. Once a yr my specialist wants me to have a mammogram or MRI. I choose an MRI as I detest mammograms as I feel they are so degrading and painful.
    A technician handles your breast into place, you are required to stand in a ridiculous position and then cold hard plates squash sensitive tissue.
    Whereas with an MRI there is more dignity.
    An MRI also gives a better diagnostic picture of my breasts.
    The downside is I can’t claim with Medicare or my health fund. Luckily I can afford to pay but... Continue reading

  • Cancer story

    by VickiT, about 2 years ago

    I write to you regarding the Cancer Care Services available to patients in the Country Health Local Health Networks, specifically the Riverland General Hospital.

    I understand that in 2018 there was an announcement to implement an upgrade to the Cancer Care Services at Country Health LHNs of $6.9m over 4 years, including Riverland General Hospital to medium level, however, I ask that consideration be given to upgrade the service to high level.

    In 2017 a report conducted by Torrens University Australia revealed that Renmark topped the list of all cancers, 43% above the national average. The results of a study... Continue reading

  • ALL - from diagnosis to gone in the week from hell!

    by Leize, about 2 years ago

    My beautiful, fit, sporty 23 yo son thought he had a cold and after a week, went to his GP. 'It might be a virus, come back in a week if no improvement'. A week later he was admitted to hospital and diagnosed with leukaemia, 5 days later he was moved to ICU and 2 days after that he died. In ICU, his nurse went for a break and he began hallucinating, thinking we were pulling an April Fools prank and began to pull out the leads connecting him to the monitors. We tried to hold him down and called... Continue reading

  • Diagnosed Metastatic Prostate Cancer in 2021.

    by Martin Castilla, about 2 years ago

    I was diagnosed with metastatic prostate cancer early in 2021, so immediately began hormone therapy. In August 2021 I started 6 rounds of chemotherapy 3 weeks apart (hence over 18 weeks), which was totally successful - scans at the end of treatment could not detect any presence of cancer cells(!). My oncologist stated it was 'a minor miracle'.


    Throughout the treatment - and still to this day - I was under the care of integrative GPs and a naturopath, who prescribed an extensive and individually tailored nutritional regime which included high dose vitamin infusions, glutathione, zinc, magnesium, melatonin, CBD/THC, mushroom... Continue reading

  • Fighting cancer and fighting the system

    by Ckriddle06 , about 2 years ago

    My story should’ve been different. There is a strong family history of breast cancer in my family, the most recent case was my mum at age 53. My dad‘s mum died from it, along with 2 of her sisters. My dad’s cousin had it as well as her daughter.

    My sisters were provided with regular screening with a breast surgeon when my mum was diagnosed with breast cancer but because I was only 26 I wasn’t included in the screening. I found a lump during my first pregnancy at 28 and saw a breast surgeon who told me it was... Continue reading