My Breast Friend

There are only three days left until Breast Cancer Awareness Month officially concludes so if you want to place an order please get it in before midnight Monday to take advantage of the 20 per cent off promotion.

Every day 57 Australians will be told they have breast cancer. This means that on average over 1,700 people will receive a diagnosis this month.

My natural range of body lotions and body washes have been developed to promote awareness for breast health with simple self-check instructions on the labels with a donation from every product sold to 🌸

I love this explanation below by about the new research coming out that shows the important role that our microbiota plays with regards to creating an environment that either helps or hinders the growth of cancer cells and tumours.

What can you change in your lifestyle to improve the environment of your microbiota?

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Why do some people with a genetic predisposition develop cancer and some don’t?

While inherited genes definitely increase one’s probability of getting certain cancers, environmental effects may also serve as the trigger for most major cancers.

One factor being investigated through cutting-edge research is the microbiome. The microbiome refers to the DNA belonging to the bacteria and microbes present in your gut. Unlike we previously thought, these gut bacteria are not just along for the ride. New research is showing that these microbial passengers interact or communicate with our own cells in ways that affect powerfully various metabolic, neurological, inflammatory, and immunologic functions.

Taken further, the state of your gastrointestinal microbiota (gut flora) could explain why tumors develop in some people and not in others. The latest consensus is that most of us run around with cancer cells, but the key is what type of environment we create for those cells.

Do you have an inflamed environment–such as from eating too much sugar, drinking too much alcohol (more than 2 servings per week in women), and/or toxic stress (i.e., trauma and resulting dysregulation)?

Or are your cells bathed in a calm environment created by gentle homeostasis—eating 80% veggies on your plate, preventing leaky gut and dysbiosis, stabilizing blood sugar, and getting the right dose of love, empathy, forgiveness, sleep, and extra dark chocolate?

Long story short, we all have aberrant cells or oncogenes looking for action.

While we don’t fully understand all the ins and outs, it’s your lifestyle, genetics, immune functioning, nutrition and history that determine whether those cancer cells grow or get removed by your personal army of immune cells.

Sophie, thanks for sharing this very important message in today’s bodyandsoul_au] regarding breast self-checks. Read Sophie’s words below.
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After having a recent scare it gave me a small window into what other women have to go through facing a prognosis.
My heart truly goes out to them, and after having friends, family and a courageous girlfriend currently battling stage 4 , it’s an important message that needs to be heard. Get to know your bodies ladies, self check regularly, advocate for your own health , have regular mammograms and ultrasounds, get second opinions if you’re not satisfied. But, please be diligent 🙏
Your life could depend on it. 💕💕
Thinking of everyone currently under going treatment at the moment, also to all the friends and family looking after them.
I think you’re all amazing.
Much love and stay strong 💖

Thank you to the team at bodyandsoul_au] for being so wonderful to work with.😊🙏
Photographer :
Hair :
Styling :
Story :
Make_up:
Editor- in - Chief :
Hair colour :

Join Van from and I for a night of connection and conversation when we will share a couple of non-alcoholic drinks and finger food to raise funds for BCNA.

Our aim of the event is to tackle the topic of booze and breast cancer, by generating awareness and discussion about the research and facts that currently exist, in the hope that you will share what you learn with friends and family.

Did you know?

It’s estimated that up to 2,000 women each year in Australia will develop breast cancer due to alcohol consumption and the numbers are increasing. Unfortunately, less the 20% of people in a recent study undertaken by the Cancer Council of Australia knew that alcohol could cause breast cancer.

Why should you come?

You will raise funds for the Breast Cancer Network of Australia (a percentage from every ticket sold will be donated to BCNA) .

You will hear from me, as I discuss my lived experience of problematic binge drinking and a breast cancer diagnosis.

Thursday 6th October, 2022
6:30pm - 8pm

The event includes:

🔹Drink on arrival from Sip & Enjoy, Melbourne's first non-alcoholic beverage bottle shop

🔹Nibbles provided (vegan, gluten-free available)

🔹Ticket to event will automatically enter you into the draw to win a prize pack valued at over $200

Eventbrite link : Reduce Booze for B***s
https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/reduce-booze-for-b***s-bcna-fundraising-event-tickets—422437280276

It’s three years today since I received my breast cancer diagnosis.

The past two weeks have felt tough. Emotions building up…a heaviness, a deep remembering and a grief for what I’ve lost.

But this afternoon as I sit here writing this message I feel overcome with a feeling of gratitude for being here as this version of myself. Breast cancer is and will always be part of my story.

I’m proud I’ve developed these beautiful products after the concept came to me whilst sitting in the chemo chair and for the advocacy work I do to highlight the direct links between alcohol consumption and increased breast cancer risk.

Three drinks a week can increase your overall breast cancer risk by up to 15% and up to 2,000 diagnoses a year in Australia can be attributed to alcohol.

Two simple things I ask: please drink less for your breasts and make sure you build a regular self-check into your routine.

Love Kath 💗

Loved being on the MCG tonight for this very special match. Thanks to and the
It’s an honour to be part of this incredible community 💗

I just had a trip down memory lane speaking at my old high school .gs on behalf of

It’s been 32 years since I finished school but I remain incredibly close to many of the girls I met here. These friendships were so important when I was first diagnosed with breast cancer as they all provided me with endless love and support that sustained me during some very difficult times.

Today I spoke about body awareness, the importance of building a regular self-check practice into their routine as well as the importance of exercise and not drinking too much alcohol as preventative measures to reduce breast cancer risk.

I then introduced Oskar Baker from the whose mother passed away from breast cancer in 2017 and he bravely shared his family’s story. His mum I’m sure would be incredibly proud of the work he does for breast cancer awareness.

Thanks to .gs and for providing us with the opportunity to speak today 🙏🏻💗

A wonderful day spent with .

My heartfelt thanks to the and for their kind hospitality and incredible support of BCNA.

A couple of points I would like to emphasise:

Please check your b***s regularly and if you notice a change get it checked out!

If you are over 40 then please book in a mammogram (they are free)

If you want to reduce your risk exercise regularly and drink less alcohol. Both these lifestyle choices have a direct impact on your breast cancer risk

More than 90% of women diagnosed with breast cancer DO NOT have a known genetic link or family history so you might be under a false sense of security if you thought it was the other way around. I know I was prior to my diagnosis

That’s it from me. It’s been a big day and I’m looking forward to a quiet Saturday night.

Love Kath x 💚💓

Don’t forget your Mother’s Day orders!

30 per cent off until midnight on Sunday 9 May.

There are six beautiful, handmade products to chose from:

🌸Flora and Wood Body Lotion & Wash

🍋 Flora and Citron Body Lotion & Wash

🍃 Natural Body Lotion & Wash

Use code: MOTHERSDAY30 at checkout.

Thanks,

Kath x

This is the last photo of my boys and I taken with my much loved nanna in 2011 a month before she died at 93.

I can’t believe that it’s 11 years since she passed away and that those cute looking boys are now burly teenagers.

As Mother’s Day draws closer I continue to think about the incredible role that women have played in my life and how grateful I am that my nanna was able to meet my three boys.

I’ve never been a huge fan of the commercial drive behind Mother’s Day and other such events but I think it is always an opportunity to acknowledge the inspiring women in our lives who guide us through life at various stages.

Love Kath x

PS 30 per cent off all My Breast Friend products until midnight on Mother’s Day (8/5)
Use code: MOTHERSDAY30

1972 - here I am with my beautiful mum! This is one of the first photos taken of me when I arrived home after being born 9 weeks premature.

In celebration of all the incredible mothers, care givers and female role models in our lives I’m offering 30 per cent off all MBF products until midnight on Sunday 8 May.

This beautiful range of handmade body washes and lotions encourages women to connect with their bodies and promotes breast cancer awareness.

Please use code MOTHERSDAY30 at check out 💓

Love Kath x