Running bare: Canberra mum to share powerful City2Surf message
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News.com.au
3 days ago
- News.com.au
‘Ticking time bomb': Why Canberra mum is running City2Surf topless
When Canberra mum-of-three Robyn Smith learnt that she was a recipient of the cancer gene that gave her an overwhelming risk of developing breast cancer, she decided to undergo a mastectomy. 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. 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. 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. 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. 'More people are finding out they have inherited cancer risk. But too often, they're left to figure out the next steps on their own.' 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.'
ABC News
3 days ago
- ABC News
Robyn Smith to run bare-chested in Sydney's City2Surf after double mastectomy
Robyn Smith believes there is nothing wrong with "living flat", and plans to make the message clear at the City2Surf. The 46-year-old has decided to run bare chested, displaying the scars of her double mastectomy to break the stigma around choosing not to get breast reconstruction, and live without breasts. "So about six years ago I had a risk-reducing mastectomy and yeah, now I live flat," she said. Ms Smith said she was inspired by United Kingdom advocate Louise Butcher, who ran the London Marathon twice to bare her mastectomy scars and represent thousands of women globally "living flat" without breasts. She will be among 90,000 runners in this year's sold-out fun run, which will once again go from Sydney's CBD to Bondi Beach — the same route that's been in place for 55 years. The six-time City2Surf runner is raising funds for charity Inherited Cancers Australia, a not-for-profit organisation that provides support for people who have a strong family history of cancer. She realised she could either watch and wait to see if she developed the disease, or have surgery to remove her breasts and drastically reduce her risk. In 2012, after her mother was first diagnosed with ovarian cancer, she had genetic testing and discovered she carried the gene mutation known as BCRA2, which dramatically increases the risk of developing breast and ovarian cancer. Shortly after, she had her breasts removed. She believes her mother saved her. "I'm able to manage my cancer risk. She's saved my life, and unfortunately she died because she didn't get the knowledge that I am privileged to have," she said. Ms Smith has also had her fallopian tubes and ovaries removed for the same reason. Painted across her scars will be the words "flat out of funding" which she said is about the critical shortage in donations that is impacting services being offered by Inherited Cancers Australia. "You know the demand of genetic testing is just continuing to go through the roof." Both her mother and grandmother have died from the disease. Her uncle lived with prostate cancer, and most recently her 36-year-old cousin was diagnosed with breast cancer. Last year's joint Australian of the Year and world renowned pathologist Richard Scolyer, who is in the midst of his own cancer battle, will also be taking part in the event along with his family. In March he announced that after a period of remission his terminal brain cancer, diagnosed in 2023, was back and he only had three months to live. It's past that deadline, and since then he achieved another milestone in June when he clocked his 250th ParkRun. Speaking to ABC Radio National on Saturday, Professor Scolyer said he was making the most of his time, and it was down to "luck" that he was still here. "I'm absolutely delighted to still be here, it's normal that 75 per cent will be dead within a year," he said. Professor Scolyers's first City2Surf was 21 years ago. He took part with his wife and first-born daughter Emily, who was just months old and in a pram. "I remember one time actually she had a number two, and we had to pull over to change her nappy and that slowed us up. "And the back ambulance that follows the people went past us, so we had to run to catch up." He is raising money for the Chris O'Brien Lifehouse, the institute that honours the late pioneering cancer specialist and surgeon who died from a brain tumour in 2009. It's also where Professor Scolyer worked and where he now receives treatment. "I felt very honoured to work with him [Chris O'Brien] and to learn from him and become a friend." He said he was excited to be taking part in this year's run, and because of his love of exercising he doesn't think the race will be that tough. "It's going to be amazing to be with that many people, I can't wait to go down there especially with my wife hand-in-hand — it will be terrific," he told Nine radio on Friday. It's the second year in a row the City2Surf has been sold out, according to organisers. Tanya Carroll, the organisation's regional director, said they were able to "put up the sold-out sign" two months before the event. However, with 90,000 runners participating and thousands more expected to show up to watch, the NSW government has warned the public to prepare for road and transport disruptions. "While it's a fantastic celebration of community, fitness and fun, it does bring major road closures and detours, and we are calling on everyone to plan ahead," Minister for Roads Jenny Aitchison said. According to the government, motorists should expect major delays across the Eastern Suburbs, with all roads expected to be sealed off by 7am. The quickest completion time of the fun run is held by Australian runner Steve Moneghetti in 1991, at about 40 minutes and 2 seconds. Ms Smith said she's not looking to break any records. "I'm going to be going for exposure rather than speed, so it'll just be getting amongst and talking to as many people as I can about the cause and really raising awareness." The race will begin at 7.35am, with the final runners expected to reach the finish line by 2pm.
Perth Now
4 days ago
- Perth Now
‘Ticking time bomb': Woman's bold act
When Canberra mum-of-three Robyn Smith learnt that she was a recipient of the cancer gene that gave her an overwhelming risk of developing breast cancer, she decided to undergo a mastectomy. 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.'
