South African rugby referee Aimee Barrett-Theron has stepped away from officiating to receive treatment for breast cancer, IOL Sport reported.
She would have been getting ready to referee United Rugby Championship (URC) matches this weekend. Instead, she is going through chemotherapy after her diagnosis.
“Early detection is so important when it comes to breast cancer. I was very lucky that I found mine in the early stages. I think it literally saved my very active career and potentially my life,” Barrett-Theron said in an online video posted by the URC.
Barrett-Theron made her diagnosis public before she left the game. She is using her own story to urge women to look after their health and to check for warning signs early.
She said many people told her they were not doing self-checks or going for scans. She said some people were too busy, while others were scared of the result.
“But hopefully, by standing up for this and raising a bit of awareness around it, people are more proactive and they take action to look after themselves,” she said.
The referee is fit and healthy and has no family history of cancer. She said she did not expect to find herself having chemotherapy.
She started doing regular self-checks after she saw a friend go through breast cancer at a young age. Those checks led her to see a doctor, and the cancer was found early.
“So, what I want to stress is we know our bodies best, and if something doesn’t feel right, please go get it checked. It could literally have a massive impact on your treatment plan as well as your future,” she said.
Barrett-Theron is also involved in Make Room for Her. The campaign brings women’s sport and women’s health together around the idea that every woman deserves to be seen, supported and cared for.
Through the campaign, she has joined the Springbok Women and Project Flamingo. Project Flamingo is an organisation that supports women who are receiving treatment for breast cancer.
“Having the Springbok Women partner with Project Flamingo is incredibly special. Obviously close to my heart, but at the same time, we run similar lines,” she said.
She said the rugby side speaks up for women on the field, while Project Flamingo does the same in the medical space. She said it was important for the two groups to work together to build more awareness.
Barrett-Theron will stay away from refereeing while she focuses on her treatment and recovery. IOL Sport did not give a date for her return to the field.
Source: this article is based on reporting by IOL Sport. Image: IOL Sport. Written with the help of AI and published by the Tzaneen Voice Sports desk. See our Editorial Standards.
Tiyani Mathebula writes about sport for Tzaneen Voice. Tiyani covers Bafana Bafana, the Springboks, the Proteas and the PSL, along with athletics, tennis and local club sport. Match reports and previews focus on results, team news, fixtures and what each game means for South African teams and fans.