FIONA Coppins knows only too well that breast cancer is not just "an old ladies disease".
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In 2013, Ms Coppins had just celebrated her 38th birthday when she was diagnosed.
Ms Coppins had lost her grandmother, aged 43, and mother, aged 42, to the disease.
"While breast cancer is predominantly a disease that affects older women, young women get it too," Ms Coppins said.
"But not all women who get breast cancer at an early age have had a family history or link to the disease."
As part of her treatment, Ms Coppins underwent a mastectomy and a breast reconstruction, and had her ovaries removed.
The ordeal has provided the motivation for her to go public with her story.
"I just want women of all ages to be breast aware, and to examine themselves regularly," she said.
"I found my own lump by self-examination, and I wasn't due to have a mammogram for another five months, so I can only speculate about how more advanced my cancer might have been had I waited that long."
Her prognosis is good.
"At the moment I'm fine, but I still continue to do regular self-checks."
Ms Coppins first shared her story publicly last year at a Pink Ribbon Month charity movie screening at Boolaroo.
The event was organised by Century 21 Gallery, in Rathmines, as part of Century 21 Australia's support for the Breast Cancer Council of Australia.
This year she's increased her involvement in the campaign by creating an intricate quilt to be raffled.
The cotton quilt measures 1.5 metres square, and took 35 hours to sew.
"I made a quilt because quilting is what got me through my treatment. It's my mental therapy," she said.
The quilt is on show at Century 21 Gallery.
Tickets are available from the real estate office, and from Jules by the Lake cafe, in Rathmines.
■ The winner will be announced at a Pink Ribbon morning tea organised by Century 21 Gallery, at Jules by the Lake, on Thursday, October 22, from 10.30am.