On 29 August, it was exactly 12 months since Lisa Zajac lost her 33-year-old sister Luci Mackersey to breast cancer.
The West Wallsend mother-of-two had battled the deadly disease for less than 18 months before it robbed her of her young life.
Since Luci’s passing, Lisa has been determined to continue warning others of the cancer that kills more than 3,000 Australian women each year.
Just as Luci had wanted others to know that cancer does not discriminate, her family say they will continue to share her story in a hope that message gets through.
And, they’ll feel particularly poignant in October, as the calendar ticks over into Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
What does October mean to you?
October is a very special month to us, it’s a time we spend reflecting and creating awareness of this horrible disease that sadly claims so many people.
We share memories of Luci’s journey, spread awareness and try to raise more funds for research.
Luci was passionate about supporting breast cancer research. Do you think she would be pleased with the progress being made by researchers, many based right here in the Hunter?
Yes. One of the promises she made me keep is to carry on her legacy, spread awareness and raise funds where possible. Myself and my daughter (Evie, 10) participated in the Mother’s Day Classic in Luci’s honour and raised much-needed awareness and funds for more research. Luci would be so proud of all the events we have participated in, the stories we have shared, and making sure everyone is well informed.
Knowledge is power and it’s really important for us to get her story out there.
On 24 October, Newcastle will play host to a Q&A event with a focus on breast cancer and genetics. Given researchers now believe 5 to 10% of breast cancer cases are thought to be hereditary, are you concerned for yourself and for Luci’s young daughters?
Luci learnt she was a carrier of the BRCA1 Gene around five months after her initial diagnosis. We learnt it was an inherited gene that we eventually traced back to her paternal grandfather, who sadly passed a few years ago with brain cancer. Luci and I don’t have the same fathers, but we were extremely grateful to have found the link in our family, and be able to notify everyone on that side of the family. Testing was a bit tricky given we were in the middle of COVID-19 lockdown at the time.
And yes, the girls have a 50-50 chance of carrying this gene and passing it on. It’s something that sits on my mind often, and when the time comes, we will look at genetic testing for the girls.
What is your message to people of the Hunter and beyond this month?
I hope our region learns that breast cancer isn’t something that happens later in life. It effects men and women of all ages. Cancer does not discriminate. Luci was barely 32 when she received her initial diagnosis, and she was otherwise fit and healthy. Little did we know it would take her life not even 18 months later. Breast cancer is the most diagnosed cancer in Australia, with nine people losing their lives to this disease every day. Please remember to check your boobies, not just in October but always. Be aware of your body and don’t ignore changes. Early detection and education is vital.
