At just 38, Chloe Youngson was shocked to be diagnosed with breast cancer.
A single mum of two boys, she’d noticed a lump in her breast but dismissed it, having had benign lumps before. Even when she found a lump in her armpit, she didn’t expect anything serious, there was no family history, and she was young.
“I was tired and losing weight, but I put it down to lifestyle,” Chloe said. “I popped into my doctor’s office between
meetings, and she told me I had cancer. I was in shock.”
Her doctor supported her through the initial steps, even sitting with her as she called her boss to say she wouldn’t be returning to work.
“It was pouring with rain. I sat in my car and rang my friend. From there, everything happened fast.”
Waiting a month to start chemotherapy was the hardest part. Chloe felt in limbo, unsure how bad things were. She was told she’d need six months of chemo, likely followed by surgery and radiation.
“I couldn’t take in all the information. I was overwhelmed.”
To cope, Chloe focused only on what she needed to know and what she could control.
“I feared the word cancer. I’m a worrier. But I decided to focus on
the positives, what chemo and radiation could do for me.”
Her boys, aged 6 and 14, were a big concern.
“We answered their questions but tried to keep things normal. I went back to work briefly, but the fatigue was too much.”
She approached treatment like a marathon, going to the gym and eating well when she could.
Through the Cancer Society support, Chloe was able to access three funded sessions for both physiotherapy and nutrition services. These services are provided by the skilled team at
Encompass Health who specialise in cancer care, both prehabilitation and rehabilitation.
"The Encompass physio helped me regain strength with a tailored exercise programme."
Encompass also assisted her with nutrition support throughout her cancer journey.
“The dietitian never told me what not to do, she gave me better options.”
It’s been over a year since her diagnosis in July 2024, and Chloe is feeling hopeful that she is cancer-free. She’s passionate about using her experience to support others, especially younger
women and mothers.
“There’s not much out there for women my age. School drop-offs were hard when I looked unwell. Sometimes you just want to look normal.”
She found wigs uncomfortable but embraced a headscarf sent by her cousin. “I rocked it!”
Chloe has shared her journey openly on social media, preferring uplifting stories over support groups.
“I wanted to see how people manage with things like school drop-offs, eyebrows, and rest.”
She’s now promoting Cancer Society Southern to help spread awareness and positivity, something that is important for Chloe.
“If I can inspire someone else, I’d love that.”