NEED TO KNOW

• Cassandra Thorburn has revealed she has been diagnosed with breast cancer.
• The mother-of-three said her cancer type is rare and aggressive.
• She has urged women not to wait to get their mammograms.
• Cassandra was married to Karl Stefanovic for 21 years.

Cassandra Thorburn has issued a candid update on her cancer treatment after being diagnosed with a very rare and aggressive form of breast cancer.

The ex-wife of Karl Stefanovic publicly shared that she had been diagnosed with breast cancer on February 25, and she has now revealed she is halfway through her first 12-week treatment cycle.

“I have less anxiety around loss of control and am more focused on managing the side effects.”

“For those who messaged me wanting free complementary therapies to use alongside chemotherapy, workshops and virtual classes are offered on the Cancer Council Look Good Feel Better website: lgfb.org.au.”

Her daughter, Willow, 20, whom she shares with Karl, has flown back to Australia to be with Cassandra amid her health difficulties.

According to our sister publication Woman’s Day, Willow, who studies fashion journalism in London, had originally planned to celebrate her 21st birthday by travelling around the UK with her mother.

“With the help of both Karl and Cass, Willow made the decision that instead she would fly home and spend quality time with her mum,” an insider told the publication.

Cassandra’s children, Willow, Jackson, 26, and River, 19, are all said to have rallied around her following her diagnosis.

What cancer was Cassandra Thorburn diagnosed with?

Cassandra first hinted at her health news when she shared a photo on Instagram on Tuesday, February 24.

The photograph showed her with newly shorn locks, while she wrote in a caption, “Life really is like a box of chocolates. And this chapter is giving my praline or truffle vibes.”

Cass’s post was flooded with comments from concerned followers, some of whom seemed to notice a type of medical port peeking out of the top of Cass’s singlet.

The following day, Cassandra shared another Instagram post, in which she confirmed that she had recently been diagnosed with breast cancer.

“On my walk this morning I thought of all the reasons why I made that post yesterday,” she said as she sat in her garden.

“Most of it is controlling the only part of my treatment and diagnosis that I can. That’s the part about when the hair comes off and when you tell people.”

“I am not walking a path that is not well travelled by many women before me, and I will not be the last,” she said. “Breast cancer affects one in seven women in New South Wales, which is where I live.

“I read that sitting waiting for my mammogram not long ago – and I was the one in seven that day.

“My shout out today is the New South Wales Breast Screen, which picked up my triple-negative occult breast cancer, which is no small feat if you know what occult breast cancer is. I didn’t – until now.”

“I thank them from the bottom of my heart.”

Triple negative occult breast cancer is a scenario where axillary lymph node metastasis is present, but no primary tumor is detectable in the breast via imaging or clinical exam.

What is the Pink Scissors Program?

In her post, Cassandra gave thanks to Toni & Guy’s Pink Scissors Program.

The community initiative is designed to support individuals undergoing cancer treatment who are experiencing hair loss.

Clients receive guidance before, during, and after hair loss in a private and compassionate setting, helping them feel more prepared and supported throughout the process.

Cassandra finished her statement by urging women everywhere not to wait around when it comes to getting a mammogram.

“When your mammogram reminder arrives in the mail, don’t dilly dally. Do as I did – book it straight away,” Cassandra said.

“It may have flipped my world in days, but there’s no ‘why me’. There’s no poor me here. Just a desire to stop this in its tracks. I don’t need this freeloader. Have a great day.”