Kylie's breast cancer story inspired Kayla

Alongside the release of her Netflix documentary, Kylie Minogue's management team have chosen Breast Cancer Now as their charity partner, with proceeds from official Kylie breast cancer merchandise, including a t-shirt and tea cup, going directly towards our breast cancer research and support. Together, we can help make sure no one faces breast cancer alone.

How did Kylie’s breast cancer story inspire you after your own diagnosis?

I remember seeing on the news that Kylie had breast cancer and thinking “that’s a shame”, but being so young I didn’t really understand. But once I was diagnosed myself later that same year, I did start to take more notice.

I was so young that there was no one around me going through the same thing as I was. I didn’t have much awareness or understanding of breast cancer at that point. I remember Kylie did an interview on TV after her treatment and thinking, “She’s feeling the exact same things I’m feeling.” It made me feel less alone and she really had quite a positive effect on me at that time.

I had a lumpectomy, chemotherapy, radiotherapy and five years of Tamoxifen. I remember seeing pictures of Kylie in a head scarf during her treatment and she became a real inspiration to me.

After chemotherapy I was very self-conscious, but then I saw pictures of her with her short hair. Seeing those pictures gave me the courage to leave the house without my head scarf for the first time. I thought, “If she can do it, I can do it.” I honestly don’t think I would have taken mine off otherwise.

I still follow Kylie’s life now, not so much her music, but just keeping an eye out for her and hoping she’s doing okay. I was diagnosed with breast cancer again in 2016 and I always hoped she’d never have to go through that experience again.

Can you tell us a bit more about your second breast cancer diagnosis?

In 2016, aged 31, I found two lumps in my left breast. I’d been self-checking but I actually found these by accident. My hand brushed them as I was taking my bra off and as soon as I touched them, I knew something wasn’t right. After getting checked out, I was diagnosed with a new primary breast cancer in the opposite breast.

I had chemotherapy, a double mastectomy with no reconstruction and radiotherapy. This time I didn’t need hormone treatment because my breast cancer was triple negative.

I’m doing really well now. It’s been 10 years since my second diagnosis and I still get checked every couple of years. I tell everyone to check themselves. Even though I’ve had a double mastectomy without reconstruction I’m still very aware that I need to check myself regularly.

How has your life changed following breast cancer?

When I went through treatment the first time, I was warned it might leave me infertile, but thankfully that didn’t happen. In 2014 I had my daughter naturally, and in 2023 I married my partner, who has been with me since I was first diagnosed.

My breast cancer diagnosis completely changed the course of my life. After all the help I received from Breast Cancer Now, I wanted to give something back, so I started volunteering for Breast Cancer Now’s Younger Women Together groups, which I still do to this day.

My husband Paul and daughter Chloe have always been very supportive of my volunteering. I took a 4-year break after my second diagnosis, then came back after Covid hit and have been volunteering ever since.

Breast cancer also inspired me to change career. I used to work for Schuh in the warehouse. I retrained as a counsellor, and I now work for a breast cancer charity in Edinburgh.