Mother's Heartbreaking Wish for Daughters After Subtle Sign Led to Devastating Diagnosis

A Mother's Fight Against Breast Cancer

Bec Pickering, a mother from Mildura, Victoria, has faced one of the most challenging battles of her life. Diagnosed with breast cancer in 2024, when her youngest daughter Dottie was just 15 months old, Bec now carries the BRCA2 gene mutation, which significantly increases her risk of developing breast and ovarian cancer. This genetic predisposition has shaped much of her journey, making her determination to survive even more profound.

'The only thing tougher than telling your kids you have breast cancer is knowing they could get it too,' she said. At the time of her diagnosis, Bec had recently undergone seven rounds of IVF to conceive her two daughters, Daphne and Dottie. Initially, she dismissed a subtle change in her nipple as hormonal fluctuations. However, further testing revealed that she had breast cancer, and worse, she also carried the BRCA2 mutation.

The initial weeks after her diagnosis were difficult for Bec. 'I didn’t want to die. I wanted to watch my girls grow up,' she recalled. She made a promise to herself that she would take any treatment offered by doctors to eliminate the cancer.

Since then, Bec’s life has been consumed by treatment. She endured months of chemotherapy, followed by a double mastectomy and radiotherapy, all while managing the physical and emotional toll of cancer with two small children at home. In November, she underwent surgery to remove her ovaries as part of her ongoing care to beat cancer once and for all.

A Family History of Cancer

Cancer is not unfamiliar to Bec’s family. Her paternal grandmother died in 1973, when treatment options were limited, and her father, Roger, has also been diagnosed with prostate cancer—a disease linked to the BRCA2 mutation. He is currently undergoing treatment alongside his daughter. On the other side of the family, Bec’s mother, Jill, was diagnosed with breast cancer 15 years ago.

'Watching Mum go through breast cancer was terrible. She had a very different experience to me, and I can only imagine that in another 15 years’ time, it will be different again,' Bec said.

This belief led her to participate in the OLIO clinical trial, which investigates whether adding new treatments to standard preoperative chemotherapy can improve outcomes for young, pre-menopausal women with hormone receptor-positive, HER2-negative early breast cancer.

'[Clinical trials] give me hope, and they could help future generations survive breast cancer,' she said. 'And it could make all the difference for my girls and my nieces too.'

The Impact of Research and Support

Bec’s daughters, Daphne (four) and Dottie (two), will be able to be tested for the BRCA2 gene mutation when they turn 18. This will allow them to better understand their own future risk. Watching her daughter go through treatment has been heartbreaking for Jill, who acknowledges the progress made in treatment but believes there is still a long way to go.

'We need research to find better, kinder answers for breast cancer,' she said.

The OLIO trial has also provided practical relief for Bec. She was able to access the trial through a remote telehealth pre-screening process, allowing her to remain in Mildura rather than travel frequently to Melbourne. This precious time has enabled her to spend more time with her husband, Matt, and their daughters.

'During a long time, I just couldn’t get out of bed,' Bec said. 'Daphne and Dottie moved all their toys into the bedroom and built obstacle courses. As long as they’re with me, I’m happy, but I feel guilty for being sick and not being a mum. They’re a constant reminder that this is about more than me.'

A Call for Support and Hope

This Christmas, Bec is the face of Breast Cancer Trials' Christmas Appeal, urging Australians to donate to help fund vital research that could change and save lives. Julie Callaghan, Chief Operating Officer - Fundraising at Breast Cancer Trials, emphasized the importance of such efforts.

'The type of breast cancer Bec has carries a high risk of recurrence, and existing treatments are often not enough. The OLIO trial offers women like Bec the chance to access additional innovative therapies that may improve survival and long-term outcomes.'

For Bec, the hope is that one day, her daughters will live in a world where breast cancer is no longer a life-defining diagnosis.

Supporting Breast Cancer Research

Over the past 26 years, the Australian Women's Health Diary has raised $20.5 million for breast cancer trials research, helping fund new treatments and improve outcomes for Australians diagnosed with the disease. Priced at $19.99, it is an essential diary tool, offering expert-led health and wellbeing information on topics including diet, exercise, finance, skincare, heart health, breast health, and mental health. It also includes a bonus health checklist, budget planner, and weekly motivational health tips.

Funds raised through the diary directly support breast cancer clinical trials.