Cassandra Thorburn, the 54-year-old former spouse of television presenter Karl Stefanovic, has courageously announced that she has been diagnosed with a rare and aggressive type of breast cancer. The journalist and former contestant on Dancing With The Stars shared this devastating health update via Instagram on Wednesday, following a previous post where she revealed a shaved head.
A Personal and Public Revelation
In her emotional video message, Cassandra explained her decision to go public with the diagnosis. 'I'm going to have to read this because on my walk this morning, I thought about all the reasons why I made that post yesterday,' she began. 'Most of it is controlling the only part of my treatment and diagnosis that I can. That's the part about when the hair comes off and when you tell people.'
She emphasized her desire for transparency, particularly for her adult children and herself, stating, 'For my adult children and for myself, I'm not interested in hiding and that's because I'm not alone. I'm not walking a path that is not well travelled by many women before me and I will not be the last.'
The Statistical Reality of Breast Cancer
Cassandra highlighted the prevalence of breast cancer, noting that it affects one in seven women in New South Wales, where she resides. 'I read that sitting for my mammogram not long ago and I was the one in seven that day,' she shared, underscoring the importance of regular screenings.
Praise for the Australian Health System
The mother-of-three expressed deep gratitude for the Australian healthcare system, specifically acknowledging NSW Breast Screen for their role in detecting her condition. 'My shout-out today is for NSW Breast Screen, who picked up my triple negative occult breast cancer, which is no small feat if you know what occult breast cancer is. I didn't until now,' she said.
She urged others to take action when receiving mammogram reminders, advising, 'I thank them from the bottom of my heart. And when your mammogram reminder arrives in the mail, don't dilly dally. Do as I did, book it straight away.'
An Optimistic Outlook Amidst Adversity
Despite the life-altering news, Cassandra concluded her message with a positive and determined tone. 'It may have flipped my world in days, but there's no 'why me?' There's no 'poor me' here. Just a desire to stop this in its tracks,' she affirmed, showcasing her resilience in the face of this challenging diagnosis.
Her candid sharing aims to raise awareness and encourage proactive health measures among women, turning a personal struggle into a public call for vigilance and support.
