Woodford's Katie Monigatti shares breast cancer journey to raise awareness, reduce stigma

At 34 weeks pregnant she noticed a lump in her right breast.

Putting it down to her body preparing for birth and breastfeeding she put it to the back of her mind.

The lump grew rapidly, so at four months post-partum she went to her GP to get an ultrasound.

Being the third generation on her mother's side to be diagnosed with breast cancer a referral was then made to see a breast surgeon at the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre.

Further testing showed five lumps with an approximate measurement of 10 centimetres combined of tumour growths.

Since diagnosis, Ms Monigatti has undergone neo-adjuvant chemotherapy, a single mastectomy with reconstruction, radiation therapy, and is currently completing oral chemotherapy.

Thankfully the majority of treatment has been completed at the South West Regional Cancer Centre.

"All of the treatment was right here in Warrnambool," she said. "If I had to go to Melbourne or even Geelong it would have been extremely difficult; I have children under four and at the time my baby was only four months old when I underwent chemotherapy.

"Being able to access the cancer centre in Warrnambool was so simple, I couldn't have asked for a better treatment outcome."

What should have been an enjoyable 12 months of maternity leave quickly changed into a year long battle to beat breast cancer.

Ms Monigatti has been able to overcome each treatment cycle with the support of family, friends and the community.

She shares her cancer journey on social media; documenting the good and the bad to open up discussion about a topic that most don't delve into until cancer affects them personally.

"When it came to my diagnosis the hardest thing was telling other people because you have no control over how other people will react," she said. "I'm very open about my journey.

"The thing I've learned is to be vigilant; I should have got my lump looked at when I first noticed it.

"They recommend mammograms for women over 40 every two years, but there needs to be more scope for women under 40 because so many younger women are diagnosed.

"I would say if you think something's not right, get it checked. I've also learned along the way there's no such thing as a silly question. If you have a question, just ask."

Ms Monigatti is one of a range of guest speakers at the 2021 Great South Coast Community Cancer Expo which will be held virtually this Saturday, November 13.

Can-Ex is a free one-day support and information event not only for people affected by cancer, but for families and friends, health professionals and the wider great south coast community.

The event is aimed at being an opportunity to learn about cancer and dispel some fear and myth, as well as raise awareness of the services available to the south-west Victorian region.

The event includes a Q&A with some of the region's brightest medical minds:

This year's event will be livestreamed via Facebook and YouTube.

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