Kaye Adams has praised her friend and podcast co-host Karen MacKenzie for her extraordinary composure after receiving a breast cancer diagnosis.
During the latest episode of Kaye’s podcast How to be 60, Karen opened up about the moment she discovered a lump in her breast. She immediately sought medical help and underwent a mammogram, ultrasound, and biopsy—all in one day. The results pointed clearly to a cancerous tumour.
Despite the devastating news, Karen didn’t let it ruin her plans. She flew to Italy for a holiday before returning for further tests. When she came back, an MRI revealed the real danger was in the opposite breast. The original lump was benign, but the other side held multiple malignant tumours.
Karen described subtle changes in her breast that she noticed in hindsight—a tiny ripple, a small tuck in the skin. Yet, even as she detailed these findings, she maintained a sense of humour and lightness that stunned Kaye.
“I take my hat off to you,” said Kaye. “You’ve been remarkable in how you’re dealing with all this.” She admired Karen’s upbeat attitude—even cycling to some of her hospital appointments.
Karen admitted this wasn’t her first breast scare. She had previously found lumps during breastfeeding and again while on hormone replacement therapy (HRT) during menopause. She now wonders if HRT played a role in the development of the benign lump.
Despite everything, Karen confessed she might still be in denial. “I’m not in any pain. I wouldn’t think there’s anything wrong with me,” she said. “It’s just like it’s happening to somebody else.”
