Yasmin Grigaliunas and Elise Worthington have been nominated for Pride of Australia medals for their work raising awareness of genetic cancers, and the BRCA1 gene. Picture: Tara Croser Source: News Limited
FACED with the prospect of a cancer diagnosis because of an extensive family history, Brisbane women Elise Worthington and Yasmin Grigaliunas decided not to leave their health to fate.
Both women, having watched their mothers fight the disease, made the choice to have a preventive double mastectomy to save them from the same fight.
Do you know a local legend? Nominate them for a Pride of Australia medal here. Nominations close on July 29.
They have been supporting each other and for their work in raising awareness of genetic cancers, and the BRCA1 gene, have been nominated for the Pride of Australia Awards.
Ms Worthington, 25, made the decision to have the surgery four weeks ago after being told she was a carrier of the BRCA1 gene giving her a 60 to 80 per cent chance of developing breast cancer.
She said she was glad the “worst is over’’, and was now focused on supporting her mum through another round of chemotherapy and planning her wedding early next year.
“There are moments where it was really stressful and difficult to deal with the new reality of what you look like, but I am feeling so much better,’’ she said.
“I feel guilty complaining about it, compared to my mum who is going through something so much more serious and suffering so much more.’’
Ms Worthington and Mrs Grigaliunas – who share the same medical team – have become friends through their shared process, supporting each other through the surgeries.
Ms Grigaliunas, 38, made the decision to have the surgery after seeing seven women in her extended family – including her mother – diagnosed with cancer. She made the decision with the support of husband Leigh and daughters Layla, 8, and Libby, 7, and without undergoing genetic testing.
“My mother was diagnosed with breast cancer at 44 and she was not the first in the family,’’ she said.
Tony Abbott’s Pride of Australia message 1:05
Prime Minister Tony Abbott says the Pride of Australia awards reward the nation’s unsung heroes
- Herald Sun
- 28 Jun 2014
- News
“I feel very happy about the decision I have made. Now I never have to worry about mammograms or ultrasounds or being that person who didn’t have it found in time.
“I didn’t beat cancer – I cheated it, I took a shortcut in a highly likely diagnosis in my life.’’
Ms Worthington was nominated by the Cancer Council Queensland.
Ms Grigaliunas was nominated by her friend Kristy Bell who described her as a “superwoman”.
Do you know a local legend? Nominate them for a Pride of Australia medal here. Nominations close on July 29.