‘Ticking time bomb': Woman's bold act
This Sunday, she is joining 90,000 others in the 2025 Voltaren City2Surf, which starts in Sydney's CBD and ends in Bondi, in an effort to raise awareness and funds for Inherited Cancers Australia.
Except, she's going one step further to raise awareness – by running the race topless. Robyn has undergone a risk-reducing mastectomy. Supplied Credit: Supplied The Canberra mum is running this year's City2Surf topless. Supplied Credit: Supplied
It was 2012 when then 33-year-old Robyn learnt that she and seven relatives had the mutation BRCA2, an inherited gene that increases the risk of breast cancer by 70 per cent and ovarian cancer by 40 per cent.
'One in 400 Australians have a gene mutation like I do,' she told NewsWire.
'That's heaps of people who are facing these challenges.'
The same year she underwent her genetic testing, her mother was diagnosed with ovarian cancer.
Her mother's diagnosis was part of a long history of cancer in Robyn's family.
Robyn's grandmother died from breast cancer before she was born, and her cousin was later hit with the same diagnosis.
Her uncle was diagnosed with prostate cancer not long after.
Cancer runs in Robyn's family, so she decided to take matters into her own hands and outrun it herself. Robyn (left) had a risk-reducing mastectomy shortly before turning 40. Supplied Credit: Supplied
Soon after learning of her gene mutation, Robyn turned to Inherited Cancers Australia (ICA), which offered her risk-reduction information and a community to lean on along the way.
'This organisation was instrumental in helping me be proactive with my cancer risk – a privilege that others in my family were not afforded,' she said.
Women with BRCA are advised to remove their breasts, ovaries and fallopian tubes in their 30s and 40s to reduce the risk of developing cancer.
So in 2018, a few months shy of her 40th birthday, Robyn underwent her risk-reducing mastectomy.
'I am proud of my decision and how I go about living my best flat life while also shining a light on the realities of living with the ticking time bomb of inherited cancer risk,' she said. The avid runner will bare it all this Sunday. Supplied Credit: Supplied
As a long fan of running, and in an effort to raise awareness of inherited cancer genes and the ICA, she will be bravely running topless at the Sunday race to 'do something bold and brave' to raise awareness for inherited cancer genes and the ICA
She was inspired by UK flat advocate Louise Butcher, known as the Topless Runner, who twice participated in the London Marathon bearing it all.
Not even the threat of wet weather can dim Robyn's shine, as she hopes to 'show that women can be flat, strong, and unapologetic'.
'Every day, 35 people in Australia undergo Medicare-funded genetic testing,' she said. She is raising awareness for Inherited Cancers Australia, which offers support and guidance for those with inherited cancer genes. Supplied Credit: Supplied Robyn will have 'flat out funding' painted across her chest. Supplied Credit: Supplied
The ICA is the only Australian charity dedicated to inherited cancer risk, offering support and recourse for people unsure where to turn.
However, with no federal funding, the charity is in desperate need of support, which inspired Robyn to run topless with the words 'Flat out funding' painted across her chest.
'Living with and working in the inherited cancer space means I see first hand the impact that organisations like ours can have on someone in this position,' she said.
'It's great to be able to give back through running.'
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