Welcome to Well Strong Courage

& the work of author

Petrina Burnett

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It’s (Not) Just About the Breast is an insightful, refreshing, realistic, informed and uplifting book about Petrina’s breast cancer experience and BRCA1 gene mutation (also carried by Angelina Jolie). Diagnosed with stage 3 triple negative breast cancer in 2007 at only 31 years of age, Petrina confronts the challenges of her treatment including chemotherapy and radiation therapy, and risk reducing surgeries, including bilateral mastectomies, breast reconstructions, and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomies (removal of fallopian tubes and ovaries). These treatments help to save her life; however, they also leave her with longer term challenges to overcome, including early menopause, financial and social impacts and infertility.

 

In her must-read book, Petrina, also a Women's Health and Lymphoedema Physiotherapist, provides ideas and insights into navigating treatment and the post-diagnosis pathway. She shares her invaluable wisdom, including managing the psychological impacts of both breast cancer and her genetic mutation and negotiating the challenges within families with high risk cancer genes. She talks of the importance of holistic and comprehensive healthcare, and the value of loving and supportive relationships with others. Petrina also shows us that through facing her adversities with hope, patience and courage, it is possible to find the love and live your best life!

 

This is her story, the story of riding the storms and finding your way after a cancer diagnosis, the story of the BRCA1 gene… and the story of family resilience over generations.​

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