Jaci Lappin, a 66-year-old woman from the Central Coast, has faced immense challenges after her successful battle with breast cancer 15 years ago. Nine years later, she was devastated to learn that the cancer had returned, this time at stage 4 and deemed terminal. After undergoing a second round of chemotherapy, Jaci found herself grappling with a severe side effect: cardiotoxicity, which left her heart functioning at only 30%.
“When I was told the cancer had returned, it was incredibly hard. I thought I had overcome it,” Jaci recalled in an interview. Despite the grim prognosis given by her doctors in 2019—estimating she had only six to 18 months to live—Jaci’s fighting spirit did not waver. It was revealed that cardiotoxicity affects nearly a third of cancer patients undergoing treatment, damaging not only the heart but also other organs.
Professor Aaron Sverdlov from the Hunter Medical Research Institute explained that Jaci’s poor heart function left her with very limited treatment options, significantly impacting her life expectancy. However, her determination led her to participate in an innovative clinical trial targeting cardiotoxicity, the first of its kind in Australia. Thanks to this trial and the care she received from Professor Sverdlov and the HMRI team, Jaci’s health improved remarkably. Her heart function returned to normal, allowing her to continue with appropriate cancer therapies.
Now, six years later, Jaci is not just surviving but thriving, as she looks forward to her upcoming 70th birthday. With gratitude, she has invited the medical team who first informed her of her diagnosis to celebrate this milestone, demonstrating her commitment to raising awareness about the often-overlooked side effects of cancer treatment.
Jaci shares her story to highlight the importance of understanding the potential risks of chemotherapy while acknowledging the lifesaving benefits these treatments offer. Her journey encourages others to remain hopeful, even in the face of adversity, and shines a light on the necessity of ongoing research and support for cancer patients experiencing these debilitating side effects.
As she embarks on her next chapter, Jaci’s resilience serves as an inspiration, urging others to join her in celebrating life and advocating for greater awareness of cancer treatment.