The 57-year-old said she knew how lucky she was to be around to watch her grandchildren grow up after she was diagnosed with breast cancer in early 2018.

Ms Oscar received a letter in the mail reminding her to have a mammogram in November 2017.

However, she was experiencing a busy time with work and the lead up to Christmas and decided to cancel the appointment.

In the weeks that followed, Ms Oscar said she kept thinking about the missed mammogram and decided to book another.

Ms Oscar had the mammogram and a letter from BreastScreen arrived in her mail box a few days after Christmas.

"It was a letter saying that they had seen my mammogram and it needed further investigation," she said.

For months after that she experienced a rollercoaster of emotions, at first being told the lump was likely not cancerous, then being told it was but it wasn't aggressive and finally being given the terrifying news that it in fact was and she would need to undergo chemotherapy and radiation.

"There was always heart disease in my family so I always looked after myself to that extent but this was just a curve ball that hit me right out of the park," she said.

Ms Oscar underwent 10 rounds of chemotherapy and was hospitalised twice due to infection.

She also underwent radiation and took the drug Herceptin.

Ms Oscar said it was the most stressful time of her life but it had also changed her outlook on life.

"It's been a long 14 months," she said.

"You feel sorry for yourself and you think no-one will love me.

"My fingers started to get tingly and you lose your sense of taste, smell and you lose your hair."

However, during the most trying time of her life Ms Oscar found love with partner Graham Densley, who she describes as "the most beautiful man".

She said her diagnosis made her re-evaluate what was important.

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"You get rid of the stuff that wasn't important," Ms Oscar said.

She said her daughter Caroline Katsaros had been her rock during her battle with cancer and her two grandsons Jesse, 5, and Billy, 22 months, had brought immeasurable joy to her life.

Ms Oscar also paid tribute to breastcare nurse Rebecca Hay, who was always just a phone call away.

She urged women to ensure they had regular mammograms.

Ms Oscar also offered advice for people who had been diagnosed with cancer.

"Try and stay positive and keep active when you get diagnosed, after your diagnosis and all the way through your treatment," Ms Oscar said.

"I used to walk every day. Some days I just wanted to keep walking because it clears your mind and gives you that little bit more energy that chemo takes away."

Ms Oscar said people shouldn't be afraid to ask for help.

She said she was incredibly lucky to have the support of family and friends, who also came to her aid via a GoFundMe page.

Ms Oscar said she had been reluctant to allow her daughter to set this up, but the assistance gave her one less thing to stress about.

"I'll never be able to thank people enough for their support," she said.

She said the costs associated with treatment added up, with an MRI that was not covered by Medicare recently costing her $400.

Ms Oscar said she was pleased the Labor Party had committed to helping ease the financial stress of people suffering from cancer.

She is now in remission and is positive about the future.

Ms Oscar said she was happy to share her story, hoping it would encourage women to have a mammogram.

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