In 2013, my mother, Bronwyn Roche, at the age of 47, discovered a lump in her breast. She had gone to the doctors to get it checked but despite receiving an initial all-clear, still had a lingering feeling that led her to undergo further tests. The tests returned revealed Stage 4 Metastatic Breast Cancer. This news struck my sister and I in our final year of high school.

I will never forget the night I found out.

After a casual game of netball, I rang my mum immediately and asked her how the doctors went that afternoon. My heart dropped when all she replied with was a cryptic “I have some news to tell you once you’re home.” I knew something was wrong and begged her to tell me over the phone, but she refused stating that she wanted to tell me in person.

The drive was only 20 minutes but it felt like the longest drive of my life – I screamed and cried the entire way home. When I got home, my family was gathered on the couch, and my mom broke the news.

What followed was 2 years of strength, determination and courage from my mum as she navigated treatment while simultaneously working and raising three kids.

During this time, we were incredibly blessed to have her Oncologist Professor Arlene Chan support her through this journey. Following the 2013 diagnosis, my mum underwent chemotherapy, radiation and a double mastectomy including the removal of her lymph nodes. Not only did the treatment make my mum incredibly sick but one of the hardest moments was taking my mum to the hairdressers to get her head shaved.

As a woman, hair can be a part of your identity and an incredibly important part of your femininity. Watching the shaver take away my mum’s beautiful hair was heart-wrenching. Despite this, my mum never shed a tear in front of my sister and me as we held her hands.

This is a particular moment that has stuck with my twin sister and me and probably always will.

Once the treatment concluded, my mum received the news that her cancer was gone. We celebrated together as a family with flowers, champagne and so much love. Unfortunately, it was short-lived.

In 2015, my mum had a brief cough that continued to linger. We didn’t take much notice of it but my mum was vigilant and went to Prof Chan with her concerns. After some testing, she was advised that the cancer had returned, but this time in her lungs and ribs. This meant that she would have to undergo further chemotherapy and surgery.

Supported by Professor Chan, my mum entered remission in 2019. To this day, my mum continues to receive preventative chemotherapy every 3 weeks but is healthy, happy and most importantly alive all thanks to Professor Arlene Chan and BCRC-WA. My mum has been able to witness my siblings graduate from university, walk me down the aisle on my wedding day and embrace her most important role yet – becoming a grandmother.

After over a decade of being in Professor Chan’s care, my mum received the news that she was retiring at the end of 2023. Grateful for Arlene’s incredible career and the role she played in her survival, my mom felt a mix of emotions bidding farewell to the person who had seen her through 300 chemotherapy sessions.

On November 16 2023, my mum had her final appointment with Professor Chan. No words will ever describe the gratitude and utmost love and respect we all have for her. We wish her the best for her well-deserved retirement, having more time to relax and spend time with her family.

Meanwhile, my mum is in the process of building her dream home in East Fremantle, has recently received a promotion at her workplace and is enjoying babysitting her grandchildren. I am immensely proud of my mum and strive to be like her in every aspect of my life.

Professor Chan, thank you for looking after my mum. Enjoy your retirement.