Breast cancer survivor Irene Karagiolis recently shared her inspiring journey as part of Breast Cancer Awareness Month this October. Diagnosed at the age of 40, Irene’s experience highlights the importance of vigilance and early detection in the fight against cancer.
In May 2017, after undergoing a routine mammogram, Irene received the devastating news that she had breast cancer. Initial tests had shown no signs of the disease, and doctors had recommended a follow-up in 18 months. However, Irene opted for another screening after just 12 months, a decision that proved crucial. “The breast cancer had developed and it had spread in that 12 month period out of nowhere,” she recalled. “It was a shock. I was only 41 years old…if I waited 18 months, my prognosis would have been a lot worse.”
According to the National Breast Cancer Foundation, breast cancer is the second most commonly diagnosed cancer in Australia. Women aged between 50 and 74 qualify for a free mammogram every two years, but Irene, due to her family history of breast cancer, was advised to begin screenings at age 40. She noted, “There’s more and more women these days that are getting diagnosed a lot earlier… I was fortunate that I had that deadline for a repeat mammogram.”
Irene’s cancer diagnosis was particularly aggressive, having spread to her lymph nodes. She underwent extensive treatment, including 16 rounds of chemotherapy followed by six weeks of radiotherapy at the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre. During treatment, she took advantage of a scalp cooling therapy, which helps patients undergoing chemotherapy retain their hair. “I felt good about myself physically as I was able to keep the majority of my hair due to scalp cooling,” Irene explained. “It gives you that confidence to feel a lot better.”
After completing treatment, Irene returned to her regular life, supported by medication known as tamoxifen. This drug is effective in preventing breast cancer recurrence, but comes with potential side effects, including a risk of uterine cancer. “They say 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 stated.
In January 2025, Irene experienced side effects from tamoxifen and promptly informed her doctors, leading to an ultrasound. Tragically, she was diagnosed with uterine cancer. “As soon as I discovered [the side effects] and told my doctors, they moved really quickly…and they caught it early before it could spread,” she said.
Reflecting on her experiences, Irene remarked, “You’d probably call me the luckiest unlucky person to cop cancer twice before the age of 50, but both times, they were able to catch it early. The treatment I had was preventative in both cases; it wasn’t curative.”
Despite undergoing aggressive treatment for uterine cancer, Irene faced challenges with hair loss this time, as the scalp cooling did not work as effectively. “Mentally I was okay going through the treatment up until the point where I lost all that hair, because I looked different. I didn’t feel confident about who I saw in the mirror,” she admitted.
Recently, she completed her treatment for uterine cancer, expressing hope for her future. “As far as I know there’s not one trace of disease in my body at the moment,” she said. After eight years without a breast cancer recurrence, Irene continues to have annual mammograms and checkups every three months for signs of 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 ever coming back again,” she shared. Celebrating her 50th birthday this month, Irene expressed her gratitude for life. “I’m so grateful to be alive. A lot of people say ‘I can’t believe how strong you are’… I really can’t believe how I went through it all.”
Irene’s message to other women is clear: “Be so 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 and getting all these scans for nothing than not doing anything and letting this thing fester.” Her journey serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of early detection and proactive health management.
