Interview Transcript

Darren James:

Let’s find out about what is happening at the Pig & Whistle tomorrow. Dr. Nicole Yap. She’s a breast cancer and reconstruction surgeon and she joins us now. Dr. Nicole, it’s going to be a big day down on the peninsula of tomorrow.

Dr Nicole Yap:

Yes, definitely. Good morning to both of you. It’s a big day because it’s International Women’s Day festival and we have it once a year and this year’s theme is “Break the Bias”.

Darren James:

“Break the Bias”. So tell us about what is happening and how people can get involved.

Dr Nicole Yap:

Well, anyone can turn up. The gates open at 10, and I think it runs until four. There’s lots of activities, including music, it’s very family-friendly. They’ve got a puppet show, yoga. I’m going to be giving a talk on women’s health and a little bit about breaking the bias, how I achieved my goals through a man’s world, and that’s starting at 12:30 and I’m standing right next, the jewelry making place. And that’s called [Dump 00:01:04] Jewelry. You can get some jewelry while you’re there.

Darren James:

With the cricket slant, with the passing of Shane Moore this morning, Dr. Yap, we have the breast cancer test. Don’t we, up in Sydney?

Speaker 3:

The pink test. The [crosstalk 00:01:18] foundation test. The Sydney news test.

Darren James:

Yeah. So the awareness of breast cancer in women is, well, it’s at the forefront, isn’t it? We winning the war, do you reckon, doc?

Dr Nicole Yap:

Well, we are winning the war to a certain extent, but one thing that is lacking is the awareness under the age groups of 50. And that comprises up to 23% of all breast cancers. And I don’t think women are that aware of that because they think that it only happens from 50 because that’s when breast screen starts. So I think it’s really important that if you do have any breast symptoms that are unusual for you, even when breastfeeding because one in 3000 people who are women who are pregnant will develop a breast cancer in the Western world. So be aware if you’ve got a lump, just get it checked out.

Darren James:

That’s excellent advice.

Speaker 3:

So doctor, could you share with us again that those figures surrounding breast cancer affecting women under the age of 50 and that’s remarkable that given the publicity that it gets, plenty of women aren’t going to get tested.

Dr Nicole Yap:

You’re spot on. You just hit the nail on the head. That is great advice coming from you. It’s very important that any age group… Only this week, I was operating on a 33 year old, who just had a baby and she thought her lump was related to breastfeeding. So just don’t have to be worried, but be alert. Don’t be complacent. And if you’re not happy with what your primary provider like a GP or any GP would say, then just say, “Well, maybe I had a good second opinion.” It doesn’t hurt if it’s nothing that’s fabulous. And if it’s something we can get onto it very quickly, because that’s the idea, early diagnosis saves lives. And if you start treating these sorts of problems early in the disease, there’s a really good hope for the future.

Darren James:

Oh look, it sounds like it’s going to be a great day at the Pig & Whistle, which we don’t know the address, do we? But if you…

Dr Nicole Yap:

Oh, it’s in Main Ridge and you look up their website.

Darren James:

Ah, that’s it.

Dr Nicole Yap:

The Pig and Whistle.

Darren James:

thepigandwhistle.com.au. Lots of entertainment, lots of food, cocktails, free activities for the kids. Are blokes welcome?

Dr Nicole Yap:

Of course, they’re welcome. They’re most welcome. Blokes can do yoga too. Don’t you do a little bit of yoga in the morning, Darren?

Darren James:

The downward dog is not for me. A push bike ride is more my speed.

Dr Nicole Yap:

How about Dying Swan?

Darren James:

Let’s do the Dying Swan together, can we not?

Dr Nicole Yap:

Well, you can hop on the back of Darren’s bike and make it a road trip.

Darren James:

Why not.

Speaker 3:

Doctor, in this COVID world we’re living in, do we have to pre-purchase tickets or people can just roll up tomorrow at the venue, get them at door?

Dr Nicole Yap:

You can pre-purchase or you can rock up. There’s lots of activities all day. So come anytime of the day. You’ll only hear me speak from 12:30, but I do have a series of films running in the marque where I’m situated. But the rest, there’s activities all day long. I think there’s one event in the She Shed. We’ve got a She Shed, Darren, do you like that?

Darren James:

Oh, I like the She Shed.

Dr Nicole Yap:

Well, in the She Shed, there’ll be a fantastic music that’s been played. So if you look up their website, you’ll see all the different activities and artists. And I love the puppet show. If you see there and you’ve got me with my surgical mask on and right next to me is the lady with the puppet and I’m not quite sure which one’s the puppet, but anyway.

Darren James:

Anyway, [inaudible 00:05:03] we go. Hey, Dr. Nicole have a great day. That’s tomorrow. This is tomorrow, only one day. And it’s great to talk to you again. You keep up your great work.

Dr Nicole Yap:

Okay. Thanks, Darren. Good to talk to you.

Darren James:

Too. Good on you, Dr. Nicole Yap. She’s lovely, Nicole. I’ve met Nicole in the flesh and young, a surgeon at the cold face helping women. She does good work.

Speaker 3:

And a very important message.

Darren James:

Absolutely.

Speaker 3:

Get away from that.

Darren James:

It’s half past 11.