Breast cancer survivor Irene Karagiolis reflects on her health challenges and the importance of early detection during October’s Breast Cancer Awareness month. In an interview with Star Weekly, she shared her journey, highlighting how vigilance and timely action played crucial roles in her fight against cancer.
In May 2017, Irene was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 40 after a mammogram. Initially, the tests had not detected any signs of the disease, but after deciding to return for a follow-up check a year later, doctors discovered that the cancer had developed and spread aggressively. “It was a shock. I was only 41 years old… if I waited 18 months, my prognosis would have been a lot worse,” she stated.
The National Breast Cancer Foundation reports that breast cancer is the second most commonly diagnosed cancer among women in Australia. Women aged between 50 and 74 are eligible for free mammograms every two years, but due to her family history, Irene was advised to start screenings at 40. Her proactive decision to seek an earlier checkup proved to be life-saving.
Irene’s cancer was aggressive and had spread to her lymph nodes, prompting her to undergo 16 rounds of chemotherapy followed by six weeks of radiotherapy at the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre. During her treatment, she took advantage of a scalp cooling treatment designed to help chemotherapy patients retain some of their hair. “I felt good about myself physically as I was able to keep the majority of my hair due to scalp cooling. It gives you that confidence to feel a lot better,” Irene explained.
After completing her breast cancer treatment, Irene returned to her daily life and was prescribed tamoxifen, a medication known to significantly reduce the risk of breast cancer recurrence. However, she was informed about a potential side effect: uterine cancer. “They say, ‘yes, there’s a side effect of uterine cancer; however, the ability of this drug to help prevent recurrence of breast cancer is far greater than the risk,’” she said.
In January 2025, Irene experienced side effects and promptly informed her doctors, leading to an ultrasound that resulted in a diagnosis of uterine cancer. “As soon as I discovered the side effects and told my doctors, they moved quickly… and they caught it early before it could spread,” she said. Despite facing cancer twice before turning 50, Irene views her experiences through a lens of gratitude and resilience.
“I’d probably call myself the luckiest unlucky person to cop cancer twice. Both times, they were able to catch it early. The treatment was preventative, not curative,” she stated. She emphasized that following her doctors’ advice was critical in detecting her uterine cancer swiftly.
Irene recently completed her treatment for uterine cancer and is optimistic about her health. “As far as I know, there’s not one trace of disease in my body at the moment,” she reported. After eight years without a recurrence of breast cancer, she keeps up with annual mammograms and quarterly check-ups for uterine cancer.
“I’m trying to stay positive. I’ve done everything the hospital has told me to do just to give myself the best chance of this thing never coming back again,” she said. This month, Irene celebrated her 50th birthday with her family, expressing her gratitude for life. “I’m so grateful to be alive. A lot of people say, ‘I can’t believe how strong you are,’ and I don’t believe it, but then when I think back… I’m absolutely strong,” she reflected.
Her message to women is clear: “Be vigilant about changes in your body. If there’s something that’s not right, just go and get it checked. You’re better off wasting everybody’s time than letting this thing fester.” Irene Karagiolis’ journey stands as a powerful reminder of the importance of awareness and early intervention in the fight against cancer.
