Join us as we talk to Bianca Evans.

In 2023, after recently moving interstate and with a six-month-old daughter, Bianca was diagnosed with Stage 3 bowel cancer at just 30. What makes her story even more confronting is that she had been asking for a colonoscopy for almost 10 years because of her family history, but was repeatedly told she was too young. Suddenly, her whole world came tumbling down as she faced 588 hours of chemotherapy, major bowel surgery, an ileostomy and another six cycles of chemotherapy — all while raising a young daughter.

During treatment, Bianca met Elle, another young woman navigating bowel cancer, and the two quickly formed a deep friendship. Through their shared experience, they recognised the lack of support available for young women with cancer and began imagining what that support could look like. That vision became the Yellow Freesia Foundation, which now provides free psychologist-led support groups, mind and body workshops and a resource hub for women aged 18–45, whether they’re in treatment, beyond treatment or living with Stage 4 or metastatic cancer. Following Elle’s passing, Bianca has continued to bring their shared vision to life, building a community grounded in friendship, resilience and the belief that no young woman should have to face cancer alone.

Some resources below:

https://yellowfreesiafoundation.org/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Join us as we talk to Bron Watson.

Bron is mum to five boys, a career in nursing for over 30 years. After spending decades caring for cancer patients, Bron became the patient herself when she was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2017, going from diagnosis to surgery in just six days.

Five years later, just as Bron was waiting for breast reconstruction, she received a second diagnosis: multiple myeloma, a blood cancer that is currently considered incurable. We talk about “incurable” vs “terminal”, telling her five boys about her diagnosis at different ages, and why she believes we need to be more curious when someone has cancer — asking questions, acknowledging what they’re going through and not being afraid to talk about it. Bron also shares why patients need to become the CEO of their own healthcare, and how “I am as good as my last blood test” has become part of how she navigates life with cancer.

At the heart of this conversation is Bron's energy for the “what's next” — continuing to live, advocate for herself, support others and make the most of the life in front of her. This is a powerful conversation about living with incurable cancer, finding your identity beyond a diagnosis, and learning to focus on what comes next.

Some resources below:

https://www.mcgrathfoundation.com.au/

https://www.bcna.org.au/

https://myeloma.org.au/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Join us as we talk to Sally Heys.

Sal found a lump while washing her underarms — and just two weeks later found out she was pregnant. At just 8 weeks pregnant, Sal was diagnosed with breast cancer after initially being told the lump was probably “pregnancy boobs”.

From what was initially thought to be early stage 1 cancer surgery revealed the cancer was actually Stage 3 HER2-positive, and suddenly the focus shifted from the baby to her own life.

Sal takes us through the incredible reality chemotherapy while pregnant, including the guilt of giving her unborn baby chemo treatment she needed to survive.

At 36 weeks, Louie — her “little warrior” — was born, and just three days later Sal had to begin immunotherapy.

But this story doesn’t end when Louie arrives or treatment finishes. We talk about the mental health aftermath, the guilt, losing trust in your body, fertility uncertainty and why finishing cancer treatment doesn’t automatically bring the relief or “sparkle” people expect. Sal’s story is raw, honest and incredibly powerful — and a reminder that sometimes surviving is only the beginning.

Some resources below:

https://www.mcgrathfoundation.com.au/

https://www.bcna.org.au/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.