Alexandra Bakous was 35 years old, raising her young daughter and planning for another child when she received a stage three cancer diagnosis. The discovery came as a shock because Bakous, now 39, reported no symptoms such as fatigue, pain, weight loss, or lumps; she felt entirely healthy.
Her cancer was detected in December 2022, following a genetic test prompted by her aunt's ovarian cancer diagnosis and a BRCA2 gene mutation. This led Bakous, her father, and siblings to undergo testing. A geneticist consultation at Liverpool Hospital resulted in a blood test and screening, during which an MRI revealed a small spot.
Initially, Bakous assumed the spot was related to breastfeeding, as her daughter was born in 2020. However, further investigation confirmed it was cancer. "I felt robbed. It was a shock. It was a lot to process," she recalled.
Treatment and Toll
Bakous's life changed immediately, leading to surgeries, fertility treatments, chemotherapy, and hospital stays. She underwent a lumpectomy in January 2023, followed by a mastectomy the next month due to unsatisfactory margins. Two and a half weeks after leaving the hospital, she completed an IVF cycle with the hope of having another child. Her ovaries were medically suppressed a week later, and chemotherapy began shortly after.
The chemotherapy, described as "Red Devil," was administered fortnightly and proved to be the most challenging aspect of her treatment due to its potency. Bakous experienced nausea and loss of appetite, making eating difficult. During her treatment, her parents would often care for her toddler for several days at a time while Bakous recovered, sometimes remaining bedridden.
She chose not to hide her illness from her daughter, explaining that "Mummy was unwell and needed medicine to get better." Witnessing her daughter's reactions, such as watching her hair fall out, was particularly difficult. Bakous's husband, who had lost his own father to cancer at 18, provided significant support, taking time off work to maintain their daughter's routine and taking her to activities to minimize disruption.
Complications and Recovery
Treatment was interrupted when Bakous developed a serious infection linked to her earlier surgery. With her immune system weakened by chemotherapy, she became critically ill and was hospitalized, bordering on sepsis. Later, as she transitioned to a lighter weekly chemotherapy regimen, her condition improved. Her appetite returned, she gained weight, and her hair, eyebrows, and eyelashes began to grow back.
Losing her hair was a confronting experience, leading her to ask her husband to shave her head due to scalp pain. "But once I got in the shower and washed my scalp, I felt like my actual skin could breathe," she said. She adjusted to wearing caps and scarves as visible reminders of her illness.
The lack of initial symptoms continues to concern Bakous, fueling her fear of recurrence. "I always worry about the cancer coming back, especially because I didn't have any symptoms the first time around," she stated. She now undergoes regular MRIs, mammograms, and ultrasounds.
Rebuilding Life
Four years after her diagnosis, Bakous is six months pregnant with her second daughter. After completing treatment and years of monitoring, doctors gave her clearance to use her final frozen embryo from IVF. Her elder daughter is excited about the new baby's arrival.
Bakous has returned to part-time work and continues to fill her family's life with experiences. She shared her story to promote awareness for the 2027 Australian Women's Health Diary, which raises funds for breast cancer research. Pre-registration for the diary is available at www.breastcancertrials.org.au/pre-register-diary.