An Adelaide radio presenter broke down in tears on Tuesday morning when she told listeners she had been diagnosed with cancer.
Speaking on her morning show Mix 102.3, Ali Clark said: “I’m really not sure how to say this, so I’ll just say it, a few weeks ago I was diagnosed with hematogenous breast cancer.”
If all goes well, Clark said, she is unlikely to need chemotherapy, but she said radiation therapy is still a possibility.
“I thought it was very small and manageable, but they found a large number of small cancers,” she continued.
“This means I will be having major surgery later this week and will have to take some time off to recover.
“In short, this means I’m going to have a full mastectomy, and if you’re playing at home, it means they’re going to take one of my breasts.”
The mother-of-three, who is married to Australian Women’s Football Federation coach Matthew Clarke, told listeners she had been struggling with the idea of having her breast removed.
“I was really conflicted with myself between being angry with myself because I felt almost arrogant about losing a part of me,” she said.
“But when I sit down and try to justify it, I’m about to lose a part of me that society has told me forever makes me a woman.”
Tears streamed down Clarke’s cheeks as she admitted she had even thought about how a mastectomy might affect her relationship.
“At 2 a.m., it feels so lonely, even when I’m lying next to my husband and wondering if he’ll still find me, you know, attractive,” she said, her voice trailing off.
Ultimately, Clark said she realizes the process is “absolutely necessary.”
“The biggest part of my mind knows this is what really needs to happen for me to be okay,” she said.
Clark also revealed on air how she broke the good news to her children, ages 14, 12 and 9.
“So, we sat them down and my husband Matt and I stood in front of the kids, and I said, ‘Look, we’re going to have a conversation, and it’s going to seem really scary at first, but it’s not, so be patient.’”
“The middle child left, and he said, ‘You’re divorced!’ and I said, ‘No.’ Then the youngest child left, and he said, ‘We’re broke!’ and I said, ‘No.’ Then the oldest child left, and he said, ‘You have cancer!’ and I said, ‘Well…’”
At this point she burst into tears and said, “I know I’m always right but I really didn’t want to be right that time!”
Clark received calls of support from listeners after her on-air confession.
“Just know that we truly love you and are sending you all our strength and support,” one caller said. “You can do it.”
