There were many times during her battle with cancer that Dee Evans had to remind herself to be strong.
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Now she has that message permanently inked on her skin.
Diagnosed last year with breast cancer at age 31, Ms Evans is using the tattoo as inspiration for her fightback.
The image of an elephant – her favourite animal – alongside pink ribbons representing the McGrath Foundation is a constant reminder of the struggle she faces and the determination she needs.
Ms Evans will speak at a Portland District Health cancer wellbeing forum on Thursday, encouraging young women to have regular breast checks.
“My main concern is younger women,” she said. “It’s scary how many younger women are being diagnosed now. My breast cancer nurse told me there are five patients in my age group diagnosed within a two-week period in this area.
“Most people assume it’s 50 and above, but it could be anybody. In my case, I hadn’t had children and didn’t have time to postpone treatment to freeze eggs – so I can’t have my own children.”
Ms Evans’ received the diagnosis after she discovered swelling under one arm.
“I’d never thought to check because of my age, but I had a lump the size of a golf ball in my armpit and about 3cm wide in my breast,” she said.
She was diagnosed with stage three breast cancer.
“I balled my eyes out,” she said.
Treatment progressed quickly from there and she finished eight rounds of chemotherapy by January, followed by a lumpectomy and a full auxiliary clearance to remove her lymph nodes and 30 sessions of radiotherapy to get rid of all cancer cells.
“I’m gradually improving, having three-monthly check ups with my oncologist and surgeon, daily medication, monthly injections and hydrotherapy,” she said.
Doctors told Ms Evans freezing her eggs would require postponing treatment for six weeks. Her oncologist wanted to start chemotherapy the next day.
“I worry about a lot of my friends now and encourage all young women to check themselves regularly,” she said.
There is a high risk the cancer could return, but Ms Evans is staying positive.
“I lost all my hair – but that meant I didn’t have to shave my legs for six months.”
