A diagnosis that changed everything
Cassandra Thorburn has spoken candidly about one of the most difficult chapters of her life, revealing she is battling an exceptionally rare and aggressive form of breast cancer.
The former Dancing with the Stars contestant and mother of three said the diagnosis left her feeling isolated after learning just how uncommon the disease is.
Realising how few people share the same diagnosis was confronting, she admitted, describing the experience as both frightening and deeply lonely.
Turning fear into purpose
Rather than asking “Why me?”, Thorburn has chosen to focus on using her story to help others.
She hopes that by speaking openly about her diagnosis, she can shine a light on a form of breast cancer that many Australians have never heard of.
Determined to remove the stigma and silence surrounding cancer, she made the decision to publicly reveal her diagnosis herself, sharing images of her freshly shaved head before rumours could begin.
For Thorburn, it was one part of the journey she could control during an otherwise overwhelming experience.
A rare disease few people know about
Thorburn has been diagnosed with occult triple-negative breast cancer, an extremely rare condition that accounts for only around 0.03 per cent of breast cancer cases in Australia.
Unlike many breast cancers, the disease may not begin with a noticeable lump in the breast.
In Thorburn’s case, doctors first detected an unusual grey area beneath her arm during a routine mammogram.
Breast surgeon Dr Kylie Snook explained that the cancer often first appears in the lymph nodes, making diagnosis especially challenging and raising immediate questions about where the disease originated.
Facing treatment with courage
Just months before her 55th birthday, Thorburn had been looking forward to a new chapter after her youngest child finished school.
Instead, she found herself beginning an intensive treatment program.
She has now completed chemotherapy and continues to undergo immunotherapy, with radiation treatment and surgery still ahead.
Despite the long road that remains, Thorburn says she is determined to keep moving forward.
She describes the illness as the toughest challenge she has ever faced but says her greatest motivation is her three children and her hope of sharing many more years with them.
A message every family should hear
Speaking at a Sydney Breast Cancer Foundation event, Thorburn said she refuses to let her diagnosis define her future.
Instead, she believes life is about resilience and choosing to keep going, regardless of the obstacles placed in front of you.
She is now encouraging Australians—especially mothers, daughters and sisters—not to ignore reminders for routine breast screening, stressing that early detection can make all the difference.
By sharing her own deeply personal journey, Cassandra Thorburn hopes her experience will not only raise awareness of a little-known disease but also inspire others to prioritise their health before it’s too late.
