A Gold Coast woman is determined to find the positives in her breast cancer diagnosis by sharing her journey and encouraging other women to prioritise their health.
52-year-old Jodie Toms from Worongary was diagnosed with an aggressive form of breast cancer in June 2025 and has been through 13 rounds of chemotherapy.
“I lost nearly 30 kilos and found quite a large lump,” Jodie said.
“I went and had a mammogram which highlighted the worst - that it was breast cancer - and from there, everything moved pretty fast.”
As a single mother to her 15-year-old daughter, Jodie knew her only option was to fight.
But Jodie hasn’t just fought bravely over the past few months, she’s also found light in the darkness and inspired others along the way.
“I started posting little vlogs on TikTok and found a beautiful ‘Pink Sister’ community,” she said.
“I started off by sharing my diagnosis which was very difficult to say out loud, and from there I’ve been sharing the good, the bad and the ugly of everything from shaving my head to attending appointments and dressing up for chemo.”
Through it all, Jodie has leaned on the support of her healthcare team, especially her dedicated breast cancer nurse, Michaela Austin.
“I have been so impressed by the care I have received in the public system.
“There’s a lot to learn about cancer treatment and the associated symptoms, so it’s nice having someone who can hold your hand through it all, sharing medical advice but also being a shoulder to lean on for emotional support.”
For Clinical Nurse Consultant Michaela, providing support to women in Jodie’s position is second nature in her role as an Early Breast Cancer Nurse at Gold Coast University Hospital (GCUH).
“It’s so important for patients going through this journey, which is likely to be one of the most vulnerable times of their life, to feel like they are not alone,” Michaela said.
“While a diagnosis can be a frightening time, our commitment is to ensure that no one faces it alone and every person will have the support of a dedicated breast care nurse by their side.”
Currently, there are more than 350 patients being treated for breast cancer at GCUH, supported by a team of six specialist breast cancer nurses.
There are also an additional five surgical breast care nurses based at Robina Hospital.
Early detection is extremely important and can start with an at-home check.
If you’re unsure how to approach this, Michaela suggests:
1. Get to know your breasts
2. Check for any new lumps or bumps
3. If you do find anything unusual, book an appointment with your GP.
“While there can be a lot of anxiety associated with going for regular screening, the earlier we can detect things, the better the prognosis,” she said.
“It could be the difference between us having a curable prognosis to something that is terminal.”
While Jodie still has a way to go in her breast cancer journey, she is confident about the treatment plan in place.
“The chemotherapy I’ve been receiving is being done before surgery in the hopes it will shrink my tumour,” she said.
“The good news is that it’s doing exactly that and has already shrunk in half.
“We are hoping I’ll just have a lumpectomy, but there may be other surgeries required depending on the results of genetic testing.
“I’ll then have radiation and immunotherapy after surgery, so there is still a bit of a road ahead.”
With a few rounds of chemotherapy to go, Jodie continues to share her experience with other women to raise awareness and highlight the importance of regular checks.
“It’s highly important to make sure you check your breasts and if you do find something that is not normal, go to your GP and talk to them,” she said.
Through her courage and openness, Jodie is helping others face their own battles, while reminding us all of the power of early detection and community support.
Women aged 40 and above are eligible to receive free breast screening, even if they haven’t noticed any changes.
Head to the BreastScreen Queensland website to find out more and book an appointment.
