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Join our network
Share your cancer story
Knowing about other people's personal experience of cancer can be a source of support and inspiration when you or someone you love is going through cancer treatment.
In this section Cancer Council supporters have shared their stories.
If you have a personal experience of cancer you would like to share, we would love to hear from you.
We are always looking for people who have been affected by cancer, whether personally or through a relative, to become media volunteers and share their story in Cancer Council communications and the media.
Real life stories may encourage people to get any symptoms checked out with their GP or go for the screening they'd been putting off, can provide hope and support to people who may be going through a difficult time and can highlight the importance of early detection and symptoms to look out for.
Your stories help us engage with the public and may encourage people to make a donation or take part in one of our fundraising events, therefore supporting our work to beat cancer every day, in every way, and save more lives.
Read more stories:
Kirsty Browne
Kirsty's experience with cervical cancer shows the importance of the HPV vaccination and regular Cervical Screening Tests.
Graham Jenkins
Working as an electrician, Graham used to do a lot of welding jobs with no control measures in place.
Wayne Higgs
Wayne Higgs was diagnosed with maxillary cancer which may have been caused by a glue he used in his work environment.
Kellie Heritage
"I couldn't believe it had happened to me": Kellie's story
Mark Nye
"After my diagnosis, turning to Google was the worst thing I could have done."
Nathan Telfer
"Looking back, I was a bit more laid-back about it all than I probably should have been."
Matilda Wagenaar
Matilda was diagnosed with endometrial cancer at just 25 years old.
Lauren Poole
22 year old Lauren went from test results to surgery in less than 24 hours.
Mark Awburn
Just after his 50th birthday Mark Awburn received a National Bowel Screening test kit in the mail.
Nick Barnett
At age 34 and just days away from marriage Nick discovered a melanoma.
Andrew Barrington
After going through his own experience with lymphoma, Andrew decided to become a Cancer Connect volunteer.
Michael Birchall
Michael was 25 when he discovered he had Stage 4 Melanoma.
Joshua Bonello
Joshua discovered a lump on his testicle just before his 23rd birthday.
Kimberley Brien
Kimberley was in her teens when she was diagnosed with malignant melanoma.
Garry Callaghan
Garry thought having a tan could help cover acne on his back.
Jo Cockwill
After her own experience with cancer, Jo Cockwill found a cancer volunteer role that suited her perfectly.
Samantha Coyle
Samantha had a gut feeling something was wrong, so she called the doctor.
Wallace H. Crellin
Wallace was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 1993 and chose not to have treatment.
Risto Doneski
Risto was enjoying his Saturday night when he felt discomfort 'down there'.
Barry Du Bois
A trip to the beach during Christmas gave Barry a much-needed wake up call.
Brett Finneran
Brett's diagnosis of brain tumours when he was 15 has had a huge impact on his life.
Emma Gierschick
When Emma was diagnosed with breast cancer, her first thought was 'I don't have time for that!'
Carol Godfrey
Carol lost the love of her life to a brain tumour in 2011.
Wendy Goodale
Wendy was in the final stages of pregnancy when the doctors told her she had cancer.
Ginger Gorman
Ginger Gorman shares her experience of thyroid cancer.
Grace Hamill
On the eve of her 17th birthday, Grace Hamill faced yet another melanoma.
Nell Hanbury
Nell was just 25 when she was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.
Bob Holden
Bob was diagnosed with prostate cancer and had full robotic prostate removal surgery.
Kevin Jarvis
People were often surprised when Kevin told them he had breast cancer.
Bethany Kariys
Bethany shared her story with us for National Skin Cancer Action Week 2015.
Vince Kelly
Vince was diagnosed with his first skin cancer, aged 35.
Natalie Khoury
When Natalie was diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma, she turned to Cancer Council for information and support.
Sheila Lukacevic
Sheila's cancer experience made her stop to smell the roses.
Damien MacRae
Damien shared his story with us for National Skin Cancer Action Week 2015.
Jim Maxwell
Jim Maxwell opens up about his experience with skin cancer.
Kirsten Mccreghan
Kirsten was diagnosed with cervical cancer in 2014 and then breast cancer in 2015.
Rizsa Miguel
When Rizsa's daughter, Jamaica (pictured,) was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, it turned the family's world upside down.
Samantha Mulligan
With three young kids and a wedding to plan, Samantha was determined to "kick cancer's butt".
Suzy Musarra
Suzy was diagnosed with breast cancer at age 32 and didn't have a clue about the disease.
Alison Newell
In the space of 22 days, Alison was screened and treated for breast cancer, and declared cancer free.
Emma Rackebrandt
Emma was diagnosed with a rare type of brain and spinal cord cancer.
Scott Roediger
Scott Roediger tells the tragic story of losing his brother Gavin to cancer.
Jessica Rusinko
Jessica lost both her parents to cancer. She bravely shared her story with us here.
Breanne Shaw
Breanne is passionate about using her experience to help support others with cancer.
Michael Wade
Participating in the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program helped detect Michael's cancer early.
Kirsty Wickens
Kirsty's son Mason was diagnosed with a rhabdoid tumour when he was five months old.
Claire Williams
Read about Claire's story of survival with cervical cancer.
Tracey Williams
Tracey was diagnosed with stage 1 bowel cancer after experiencing severe pain.
Jenni Woods
Jenni's trip of a lifetime was cut short by an acute myeloid leukaemia diagnosis.
Craig Brewer
The first thing you think when you wake up is ‘I’m stage 4 cancer’
Greer Worsley
Greer shares her mother's story on her battle with cancer and how it inspired her to fundraise in her memory.
Tony Chiles
Tony had a desire to help Cancer Council after they helped him.
Bev Drechsler
Bev is doing everything she can to help save lives lost to cancer.
Doreen Flynn
Doreen watched three generations of her family fight cancer.
Jen O'Donnell
Jen decided she wanted to invest in future funding to beat cancer.
If you would like to speak to someone about cancer and the support available, please call Cancer Council 13 11 20 for the cost of a local call anywhere in Australia.
Cancer Council also provides online support through Cancer Connections, where you can ask questions and participate in groups, forums and blogs.
This page was last updated on: Tuesday, January 28, 2020
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