Words by The Hospital Research Foundation Group.
A life-time lover of netballer, Alex Tanner, is proud to be teaming up with the Adelaide Thunderbirds and The Hospital Research Foundation Group this weekend for the side’s PLAY 4 PINK match on Saturday, 22 June, to raise funds and awareness for breast cancer research.
As the mother of Oakdale Netball Club's Ruby Tanner, who competes in The Hospital Research Foundation Group Premier League competition, Alex Tanner joined the cause as an ambassador for the round.
READ MORE: Thunderbirds announce inaugural PLAY 4 PINK match for breast cancer
With no family history of breast cancer, Alex Tanner was undertaking her routine mammogram when her life changed forever.
At age 48, Tanner was diagnosed with breast cancer after doctors discovered a suspicious area on her left breast.
The cancer was at stage 3C and on her lymph nodes, but thankfully had not spread any further.
During April 2021, in a time affected by COVID, the mother-of-three would normally have her husband by her side at these appointments, however visitor restrictions meant he was waiting in the carpark.
“I eventually saw my husband down at the car park and I said, ‘I think I have breast cancer’”.
“But at that stage, we didn’t know what we were dealing with, and what life was going to look like.”
From there, Tanner underwent a biopsy, which confirmed their fears.
“I had what’s called invasive lobular cancer, which grows flat and spider-like. It’s referred to as being very sneaky,” Tanner said.
“It’s very rare that you’d feel a lump with this type of cancer, you’d normally see more of a change in your breast appearance."
Alex was sent for a myriad of blood tests and scans to understand the full extent of the cancer, a time she described as “the worst week of my life”.
Tanner underwent eight months of intensive treatment where she had a full left mastectomy and auxiliary clearance, then 16 rounds of chemotherapy and 25 rounds of radiotherapy.
“It was a full-on eight months, chemo affects everyone in different ways," Tanner said.
"The way it affected my appearance was daunting, it tells a story to everyone that you are dealing with something and sometimes you just want to escape those conversations."
“I was committed to keeping a positive mindset, and I’ve got a really strong husband and kids.”
It was this network of family and friends that kept her going – particularly youngest daughter Ruby’s school and netball community.
Ruby was doing Year 12 at the time and playing for Contax Netball Club, and the support was immense.
“Netball was amazing, the mother-like figures at netball were all there for her,” Tanner said.
“I never missed a game of netball until then.”
Alex knows firsthand how much medical research can bring a brighter outlook for women like her fighting breast cancer.
“I’m so grateful for the country we live in and the access we have to medical research," Tanner said.
"Yes, I’m on active treatment for the next 10 years, but just imagine the research that can be done in that time.”
“There could be a cure in that time, it’s not impossible.”
Limited-edition PLAY 4 PINK beanies will be sold at the match, with all proceeds going to breast cancer research and patient care through The Hospital Research Foundation Group.
