Mum's long fight for breast cancer diagnosis as ACT misses screening target

Alisha Henderson was surprised how long it took for her breast cancer to be diagnosed.

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After finding a lump in one of her breasts, the Canberra woman sought medical advice but initial tests didn't identify anything malicious.

Alisha Henderson with partner Matt Quade and daughter Floss. Picture by Karleen Minney

"It took seven months to get the diagnosis. The screening tools couldn't see through the density of my boobs," Ms Henderson said.

An initial ultrasound and mammogram did not detect possible signs of cancer and were followed by another ultrasound six months later.

"Again, nothing bad there, but I said to the breast surgeon at the time, 'it's like something's changed, it feels different'.

"And so, an MRI, at the seven month point, found it."

Alisha Henderson and her daughter Floss when Alisha was undergoing treatment for breast cancer. Picture supplied

After being diagnosed with Stage 2B breast cancer, Ms Henderson underwent chemotherapy combined with targeted therapy, followed by a double mastectomy.

Ms Henderson's advice to other women is to know their own bodies and to seek medical advice and advocate for themselves if they feel something isn't right.

"Know what your normal is. But I don't think it's just breast cancer, right? Moles, check your poo, check your everything."

Ms Henderson was only 36 when she was diagnosed. Most breast cancers occur over the age of 50, which is why Australian women aged 50 to 74 are encouraged to have mammogram screening every two years.

In recent years, however, screening rates for Canberra women aged 50 to 74 have been consistently below the target of 60 per cent.

In 2025-26, only 56 per cent of Canberra women in the target age group underwent free screening, although this was higher than the national participation rate of 51 per cent in 2024-25.

The National Breast Cancer Foundation has warned that Australians cannot afford to be complacent about the disease. Despite breast cancer death rates falling more than 40 per cent over the past three decades, it still kills nine people in Australia every day.

For Ms Henderson, participating in screening seems like a "no-brainer". She has met women whose breast cancer has been caught at the earliest possible stage, allowing them to avoid the most serious treatments.

BreastScreen ACT health promotion and standards manager Jodie Kirkness. Picture supplied

Another strong supporter of screening is Jodie Kirkness, who underwent a mastectomy when she was 17 after being diagnosed with breast cancer.

Ms Kirkness is now the health promotion and standards manager at BreastScreen ACT, where she leads a small team dedicated to encouraging women to undergo routine screening and to self-examine for possible early signs of breast cancer.

She tells time-poor women that they can usually be in and out of a routine screening appointment within 20 minutes.

"We screen asymptomatic women," she said.

"We're not expecting someone to come in and have a very serious malignant cancer. We are expecting we may pick up a very early stage cancer."

One of the team's priorities is working with women from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds who may be reluctant to visit a health centre unless they are feeling sick. Conversations with groups of women from these backgrounds have resulted in more people undergoing screening.

BreastScreen ACT recommends that women aged 50 to 74 participate in free screening every two years. Free screening is also available for participants from 40 to 49 and over 74.

Alisha Henderson. Picture by Karleen Minney

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