How a Canberra mum survived cancer when working meant risking her life

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Treatment costs force people with cancer to make hard choices.

In a strange way, Tahlia Salafia was lucky her mother was diagnosed with breast cancer.

The Canberra woman had noticed a lump in her breast several months earlier but ignored it.

"I put it down to just having finished breastfeeding," Miss Salafia said.

"I realised I wasn't paying attention to the lump, and I couldn't remember if it was that big before and, because of my mum's diagnosis, I thought I'd better get that checked."

A swift cancer diagnosis in March 2025 was followed by treatment including chemotherapy, a double mastectomy, radiotherapy and menopause-inducing hormone blockers.

As well as attacking her body, the cancer attacked Miss Salafia's finances.

The single mother and university student was forced to give up her job as a bartender because her immune system was compromised, making a crowded bar a dangerous place to work.

Cancer patients typically face out-of-pocket costs of at least $10,000 a year, with many seeking help from local charity Rise Above.

Rise Above chief executive Renee Watson said some people who approached the charity faced a choice between paying for petrol to attend chemotherapy and putting food on the table at home.

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