'Earth angel' keeps cancer in check

Rose Cosgrove is the fourth member of her family to be diagnosed with breast cancer. Photo / Michael Craig

Four sisters come to terms with the cruel toll the disease has taken on their family.

When Rose Cosgrove was diagnosed with breast cancer she became the fourth sister in her family to face the disease.

The Auckland woman's two older sisters and a younger sister had already been successfully treated for breast cancer.

And in a cruel twist, their father, 80, is now in the final stage of his battle with prostate cancer.

The diagnosis late last year that Rose, 46, had the disease was a huge shock.

"Even though there were three of us already with cancer, there was still that, 'Oh my gosh.' There was disbelief," Rose said.

Doctors have tested tumours removed from Rose and one of her sisters to try to confirm a genetic link to either the BRCA1 or BRCA2 cancer genes. But those tests have so far proved inconclusive. Their DNA has been stored for future testing.

"The doctors said four sisters with cancer was not just a coincidence but the testing is not evolved enough yet to know why we all had cancer," Rose said.

A fifth sister does not have cancer but is now mindful of the possibility and has regular checks.

Rose knows there was also a high chance her 16-year-old daughter, Samantha, may develop the disease. Doctors have recommended she start breast screening at 30.

"I know my daughter might have to walk this path as well so I [have been] very open with her," Rose said.

"I am hoping there will be even better treatment and even a cure in the future."

When Rose lost her hair during chemotherapy it was Samantha's love that helped her through.

"I didn't realise until that point how important my hair was as part of my identity," Rose explains.

One day she pulled out a hair tie and a big chunk of her hair came out.

"I just welled up inside, and thought, 'Oh my goodness, I'm losing part of who I am'. I burst into tears and my daughter gave me a big hug and said, 'Ah mum, you're not your hair. You're beautiful the way you are'."

The Cancer Society also helped Rose — and tens of thousands of other cancer sufferers — through their battles.

Friday marks the 25th anniversary of Daffodil Day, the annual fundraiser for the Cancer Society.

Rose said there were days she wanted to hide from the enormity of the disease, but support from the society helped keep her positive.

From the time the small lump was found via ultrasound in late 2014 to surgery early this year and subsequent rounds of radiotherapy and chemotherapy, Rose had her Cancer Society nurse Jan — who she described as her "earth angel" — by her side.

The nurse helped her keep positive and informed. "She would explain my symptoms, what I'm going through, what I'm not going through and what other services are available," Rose said.

"She's wonderful and very easy to talk to. When I'm feeling a bit down, I'll talk to Jan and she helps me put things in perspective."

Knowing what to expect physically and emotionally helped Rose prepare for treatment and side effects.

"I could probably just pull the covers over. But why? There is a lot of love out there and a lot of support."

• Text HOPE to 469 to donate $3 to Daffodil Day