Untimely death of Kerryn McCann a stark warning

Dec 9 2008

The revelation that champion marathon runner Kerryn McCann did nothing for months after discovering a lump in her breast, is a stark warning to women to heed any changes they notice in their breasts and seek medical advice.

According to the National Breast and Ovarian Cancer Centre (NBOCC), the dual Commonwealth marathon gold medallist and mother of three who died yesterday at the age of 41, had a very aggressive form of breast cancer.

McCann apparently detected the lump in her breast last year at the very beginning of her third pregnancy but left it until she was into her sixth month of her pregnancy, when the lump was obviously growing, before doing anything.

The birth of baby Cooper was induced early so McCann could begin chemotherapy - the treatment was finished in January but McCann was later diagnosed with a secondary cancer in her liver which recently spread to her brain.

Dr. Helen Zorbas, director of the NBOCC says women under 40 should be especially vigilant since mammography screening for them was ineffective and breast cancer was more aggressive in younger women.

Dr. Zorbas urges women to see a doctor if they notice any change in their breasts and says it is important not to ignore any such changes.

Dr. Zorbas said it was normal for women's breasts to become "lumpy" during pregnancy but they should not self-diagnose, as even the most benign looking lump might be the early signs of breast of cancer and seeing a doctor could save their life.

McCann's premature death from secondary breast cancer has prompted early detection warnings - Dr Zorbas, says McCann's death was an important reminder of the importance of early detection.

Dr. Zorbas says while having children, particularly before age 30, can reduce a woman's risk of developing breast cancer, McCann's death is evidence there are "no guarantees".

McCann is survived by her husband Greg and their children Benton (11), Josie (5) and Cooper (14 months).

The Breast Cancer Network says details of McCann's funeral will be released soon and McCann's family have requested that no flowers be sent and has asked instead that people donate to the BCNA or to the McGrath Foundation.