Documentaries take time, sometimes a very long time. Which has been the case with Conquering Breast Cancer. It’s a film that’s been on a slow steady simmer for around 10 years now.
The lengthy timeline has added to the richness of the stories and given us the ability to show how quickly things are changing in breast cancer. And this gives us hope for the future.
1 in 7 Australian women will develop breast cancer. The rates vary somewhat in each country but overall, breast cancer is the most common cancer in women globally.
When I initially set out to make a film on breast cancer, it was to explore how women could prevent breast cancer, particularly women who were at high risk due to family history. But I quickly learned that breast cancer doesn’t have an easily accessible, primary prevention option. Unlike other cancers such as skin or cervical cancer, there currently isn’t a vaccine or a behaviour driven ‘slip, slop, slap’ approach that can prevent it.
In fact, the biggest risk factor for developing breast cancer is being female.
The more I learned, the more I realised how much I didn’t know. And how much many of us don’t know about breast cancer. It turns out it’s not even one disease, there are many different types of breast cancer. And it affects women of all ages.
A few facts to keep in mind
- Breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in women worldwide.
- Global breast cancer cases are projected to double by 2050
- Besides being a woman, age is the most significant factor for developing breast cancer – with the risk increasing as you get older.
- Over 75% of all breast cancers in Australia are diagnosed in women over the age of 50. The average age of breast cancer diagnosis in women is 61.
- In Australia in 2024, breast cancer was estimated to be the most commonly diagnosed cancer in women aged 20–39 years.
- And 1% of breast cancers are diagnosed in men.
These statistics will have you sitting up straight. And they are a useful way to define the scope of breast cancer and who is most affected. But they don’t tell the story. Statistics don’t tell you what you can do to assess your own risk. What behaviour change you could implement to reduce your risk. And statistics don’t help you understand the human cost or lived experience of a disease like breast cancer.
So what does?
It’s hearing from survivors, thrivers and their family and friends. It’s learning from the specialists, researchers and advocates working tirelessly to reduce the burden of this disease.
And that’s what Conquering Breast Cancer is about. What is breast cancer, why does it matter and where is the hope for the future?
During the ten years we’ve been capturing stories, I’ve met some remarkable people. Over the next few months I’ll share more stories from the women I’ve interviewed.
First of those is Pratika Lal, two time breast cancer survivor, advocate and founder of The Treasure Chest Charity.
Now that I’m reminiscing, or perhaps it’s watching the interview for the edit, that my mind is cast back to a beautiful Spring day in September 2016. Flowers were just beginning to bloom and the days were starting to warm up.
Normally when we arrive at peoples homes to film interviews, I feel like a total space invader. But not on this occasion.
Arriving at Pratika Lal’s was like being embraced with a warm hug. In the kitchen she had an amazing meal bubbling away in the slow cooker and her gorgeous little white dog was so excited to see us. Added to my surprise the meal was for us, for lunch. An unexpected treat!
Ahead of sitting down and turning the camera on (it wasn’t straight to business) we spent some time looking at Pratika’s well tended garden and we chatted about her story.
Pratika’s story will feature in Conquering Breast Cancer but here are some excerpts of what Pratika had to say about her experience with breast cancer.
Pratika’s Story
I asked Pratika to share her experience with breast cancer?
“I was first diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 43. My mum also had breast cancer and passed away at 62. Out of five women in my family, four of us have had breast cancer and one had gynecological cancer. I’ve battled breast cancer twice—the second time was more invasive and hormone-related.”
Family history has had an impact on Pratika’s approach to cancer.
She shared that once several women in the family were diagnosed, they joined a familial research program at Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre. They discovered a strong pattern of breast and ovarian cancer in their family.
“Strangely, I’m the only one who doesn’t have the gene, even though I’ve had cancer twice. Because of this, I’ve encouraged my nieces and younger family members to do genetic testing and make early, preventative choices.” Pratika said.
Breast cancer, like many other cancers, requires a lot of treatment, even when it’s found early. I asked Pratika what her treatment involved.
After her first diagnosis, she had a mastectomy. Ten years later almost to the day of her first diagnosis she chose a preventative mastectomy for the remaining breast and a hysterectomy because of the high risks of gynecological cancer.
After the surgery to remove her remaining breast Pratika was told they found another cancer that was already growing. Since then, she’s undergone chemotherapy, hormone therapy, and long-term follow-up treatments.
The emotional toll of breast cancer
I asked Pratika how she’s coped emotionally after so many surgeries and setbacks?
“It was hard. I was angry—angry, at life. Angry because my family was going to go through this trauma again. I was angry because I was going to lose everything, to me anger and fear are very close together. Either you can use it in a constructive way, or you can just lose control. I decided to channel that energy into something positive—to help other women going through the same thing. That’s how I started Treasure Chest Charity” Pratika explained.
“Treasure Chest Charity supports women after breast cancer. I founded it because I saw how many women couldn’t afford reconstruction, counselling, or post-surgery care. Some women were waiting up to nine years for reconstructive surgery or paying hundreds for nipple tattoos done in tattoo parlours. That wasn’t acceptable.
We’ve raised funds for:
- Reconstructive surgeries for women in need.
- Scalp cooling machines to reduce hair loss during chemo.
- Training hospital staff to do nipple tattooing so women can restore their confidence.
- Counselling and home care support for women in recovery.
Our mission is simple: restore dignity and hope to women after cancer.”
Motivation, advocacy and community
“My motivation comes from my mother. Every year she found something to live for—her children, graduations, weddings, grandkids. I learned from her that love and purpose can keep you alive. I don’t want any daughter to lose her mother if we can prevent it.
In Hindu culture, we’re taught to give back and do good deeds. Helping others helped me heal, too. It turned my pain into purpose.”
Beyond fundraising, Pratika has become a passionate advocate for open conversation. “How can we eliminate the fear of breast cancer if we never talk about it?” she asks.
At public events she often challenges the audience: “How many of you have had a breast check this year?” When only a few hands rise, she doesn’t hold back. “I tell them, if you don’t look after your health, you’re not looking after your family. It might sound blunt, but if it saves one life, it’s worth it.”
Her honesty and humour make people listen. “I want breast checks and early detection to be normal conversation,” she says. “Silence kills — conversation saves lives.”
Hope for the future
“I hope the next generation won’t have to go through what we did. With genetic testing, early detection, and better treatments, maybe one day we’ll prevent breast cancer altogether. Until then, I’ll keep advocating for awareness, support, and compassion—for every woman who needs it.”
Pratika has a message for other women facing breast cancer today?
“Don’t lose hope. Surround yourself with people who lift you up. Channel your fear into something meaningful. You’re stronger than you think. And most importantly—talk about it. Sharing your story can save someone else’s life.”
I hope you’ve been inspired by Pratika’s interview and we’re sharing much more in the feature film Conquering Breast Cancer which will release mid 2026 in Australia.
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