Christine beat breast cancer while pregnant. While trying for her second, she got another diagnosis.

At 27 years old, Christine Bayeh was freshly married, trying to start a family and excited for the future.

When she found out she was pregnant, she was elated. It was everything she and her husband had hoped for. Then one week later, she noticed that her breasts were quite sore. 

At first she figured it was breast pain related to pregnancy, but when she checked herself over she found a small lump.

Tests revealed it was breast cancer. 

At the time she was just six weeks pregnant.

"It was so scary, and to add on the fact I was pregnant - it was intense. So much was going through my mind. I didn't know anything about breast cancer, and I was quite young as well. At the time my GP told me it would be unlikely I could keep the baby," Christine told Mamamia. 

After seeing a specialist, an appointment was soon organised for her to see a McGrath breast care nurse in Sydney, where she lives. That's when she met Bronwyn. 

Bronwyn has been a breast care nurse for 10 years, working with hundreds of people going through one of the scariest moments of their lives. 

"The main thing I remember with Christine was that she was young and pregnant and needed extra support and consideration to be able to progress with the pregnancy," Bronwyn said to Mamamia. 

"She is an amazing young woman with major inner strength, that she called upon to get herself through cancer."

Watch Christine talk about her experience. Post continues below.

Fortunately for Christine, her breast cancer was stage one. She had a lumpectomy while 12 weeks pregnant, but didn't thankfully didn't need to receive any chemotherapy or radiation. Then soon after her son was born, she had a double mastectomy. 

Throughout this time, there was an unprecedented level of stress on Christine. 

Her friends, family and husband were incredibly supportive, but they didn't personally understand what Christine was going through. And that's where Bronwyn became "a saviour" to Christine.

"She just had answers for everything. She gave me her phone number and said I could text her anytime and any day, just to ask questions or discuss something I couldn't with my doctor. It's hard for people to know what you're going through when you have cancer. I just felt like Bronwyn was the only person that really understood me," Christine explained. 

"I found the whole cancer experience to be very isolating because you've got to be strong for your family and those around you. Like my parents and husband were obviously devastated about it. So I had to be strong for them - so Bronwyn was my outlet."

Christine went on to give birth to a healthy baby boy called Christian. And fittingly, Bronwyn was the first one to meet the baby.

Soon after the birth, Christine underwent the mastectomy - something she is incredibly glad to have done, considering it has very likely saved her life. 

"It was actually a relief to have it done. It was a very painful procedure, but there was also such a relief knowing I never would have to worry about breast cancer again."

After the procedure, Christine got the all-clear from health professionals. Sadly in 2021, three years after the breast cancer experience, Christine was then diagnosed with thyroid cancer. Fortunately, it was detected early at stage one, meaning a thyroidectomy was the only point of action needed. 

"When my husband and I were trying for our second child, I went and got a checkup and I had to get a full body PET scan to make sure I was in good health for a pregnancy, especially after the breast cancer in 2018. And in that scan, my thyroid didn't look normal. It was Bronwyn actually who gave me the diagnosis. I remember this time around I wasn't as fazed because I knew what to expect. On Wednesday I got the diagnosis and by Friday I had the specialist appointment."

After the stress of two cancer diagnoses and a clean bill of health now, Christine says she feels lucky. She and her husband have two beautiful kids - son Christian and daughter Chloe who is now eight months old. 

Christine, Bronwyn and eight-month-old Chloe. Image: Supplied.

"My kids are my blessings because had I not fallen pregnant with my son Christian, I probably would have felt the lump too late," Christine said.

"The only reason I felt it was because my breasts were sore from pregnancy and it reminded me to check over them. And had I not wanted to try for a second baby, I would probably not have found my thyroid cancer as soon as I did. I never had thyroid issues, so it was like completely random. It just proves how important regular checkups are for everyone."

New research commissioned by the McGrath Foundation reveals that one in five people in Australia experiencing breast cancer will miss out on the vital support of a dedicated breast care nurse this year alone. 

The research comes as breast cancer incidences in Australia are rising, with more than 20,000 people expected to be diagnosed in 2022. Along with improved survival rates and the increasingly complex treatment trajectory, the ongoing need for specialist breast care nurses continues to grow. 

This month is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. With this in mind, Christine hopes that by sharing her story she will encourage people to go get checked. Because it just might save a life.

But Christine also wants to shine a light on the incredible work that women like Bronwyn do. As Christine said to Mamamia: "She was not only a logistical support source, but an emotional one too. We still keep in touch - I'll randomly message her to check in, or we're talking every six months for our routine checkup. It's just so amazing to have her. I just feel blessed and I'm excited for mine and my family's future."

Since its inception in 2005, the McGrath Foundation has supported more than 110,000 individuals and families impacted by breast cancer and now funds 185 McGrath Breast Care Nurses providing free care and support in communities across Australia - both metropolitan and regional. 

The work that Bronwyn does is emotionally taxing. But it's also rewarding - and it's that aspect that makes her so passionate about breast care. 

"It's incredible when you see women like Christine deliver a healthy baby after a cancer diagnosis, when she was initially told she would not be able to progress with pregnancy," Bronwyn said. 

"She is now a great mum to two gorgeous children. It's a privilege to be there for people when they are at their lowest and then to see them 12 months later, knowing we got through active treatment. With many of my patients, we're still in touch years later and it's an honour to be in their lives."

The McGrath Foundation currently funds 185 nurses who provide essential physical and emotional support for free to anyone experiencing breast cancer and their families from diagnosis and throughout their treatment. Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in Australia, the risk of diagnosis for women in Australia in their lifetime is 1 in 7.

For the duration of October for Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the McGrath Foundation is calling on the nation to visit www.mcgrathfoundation.com.au/1in5 and make a donation to support its goal to fund 250 McGrath Breast Care Nurses by 2025.

Feature Image: Supplied.