Isolated women in rural Tasmania fighting the 'beast of cancer' together, apart
Melissa Fergusson (left) and Anita Campbell both went through cancer. (ABC News: Ebony ten Broeke)
In short:
Cancer doesn't discriminate, it can strike anyone, anytime, anywhere, but when you live in an isolated area, it can feel particularly lonely.
Technology became a lifeline for a handful of farming women in Tasmania, helping them stay connected, share their struggles, and lift each other through the toughest times.
What's next?
These rural women who have survived breast cancer scares, are urging all women to get their regular breast cancer checks.
Anita Campbell, a merino wool and lamb farmer from Tasmania's southern highlands near Bothwell, never expected to hear the words "you have breast cancer".
"I had my routine mammogram in July 2022, and a week after that I got the call that there was something there that wasn't there two years ago" Ms Campbell said.
That call changed everything.
Anita Campbell went through surgery, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, radiation and five years of medication. (ABC News: Ebony ten Broeke)
Living on a farm in the country meant long trips to the city for treatment.
She endured surgery, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, radiation, and five years of medication.
"It's exhausting, but you just put your head down, bottom up, and get on with it," Ms Campbell said.
However, something unexpected happened during that time that helped her to cope.
"Around the same time I was diagnosed, so was a good friend of mine,"Ms Campbell said.
Ms Fergusson and Ms Campbell said they were always there for each other. (ABC News: Ebony ten Broeke)
Ms Campbell and Melissa Fergusson have been family friends since childhood.
The two farming women, as well as a third friend who lived in the city, leaned on each other in a way that only those who have experienced cancer can understand.
"We'd have a little whinge, a cry, or say 'well, we got through that one today'," Ms Campell said.
Despite living a couple of hundred kilometres apart, the women became incredibly close.
They would see each other during treatment in the city and chat online.
"None of us wanted it, but suddenly we had this little team," Ms Campbell said.
"We were always there for each other."
'Fighting the beast' together
Like Ms Campbell, Ms Fergusson was also diagnosed with breast cancer and undertook chemotherapy, immunotherapy and radiation.
Living on a farm on Tasmania's east coast, she too had to endure the long drives to the hospital, and separation from family and work on the farm.
Both women had to put farm work on hold, and both fell behind with the property paperwork.
"We muddled through. There were times during treatment when we felt better, and times when we felt worse, so we just tried to time things," Ms Fergusson said.
Ms Campell's mother Mary Shelly was also going through cancer treatment at the same time, and they would all bump into each other during hospital visits.
"It was like this little camaraderie of women fighting the beast,"Ms Campbell said.
"We shared little tips — things that made the journey just that bit easier."
When Ms Shelly lost her battle with cancer, the friendships the women formed through their treatments became even more precious.
"We have a very close friendship. It's a difficult club to be part of, but you do feel a connection to other women who have been through this journey," Ms Campbell said.
"It was a good thing to have those friends, and I'm forever grateful for that," she added.
Ms Campbell has one message for every woman, whether they live in the city or the country.
"Make mammograms a routine, book in your checks — because once you're in the system, everything's easier to access,"she said.
Ms Fergusson has a farm farm at Grindstone Bay on Tasmania's east coast. (ABC News: Ebony ten Broeke)