Cabrini Brighton oncology patient Jess Armstrong refused to take her chemotherapy side effects lying down. Instead, she turned adversity into triumph, finding a solution that she hopes will benefit other Australian cancer patients suffering from chemotherapy-induced sensitised skin.

In April 2023, Jess was diagnosed with stage two breast cancer and advised that she would need six months of aggressive chemotherapy treatment.

While a cancer diagnosis was a shock for Jess and her husband, she was determined to beat it.

“At the time, my daughter Daisy was five and my son Jock just three. My mumma-bear instinct took over and I knew I had to fight the cancer for my family,” Jess said.

During treatment, Jess experienced the common chemotherapy and radiotherapy side effect of deeply sensitised skin.

“Some days I couldn’t even touch my face,” she said. “My regular skin care routine and products just weren’t working, and my skin was very red and incredibly dry.”

Dr Libby Blackley, Jess’s Cabrini oncologist, said all patients react to chemotherapy and radiotherapy differently.

“But changes to the skin are very common, including rashes and hyper-sensitive skin that can be red, sore, dry and itchy,” Dr Blackley said.

“We usually advise patients to use very bland skin care products, with no active ingredients.”

Frustrated at the lack of suitable products available to suit her skin, Jess did her research and discovered she needed to avoid ingredients such as fragrances, synthetic dyes, parabens and sulphates.

“My background is in product development and marketing, so I immediately saw an opportunity to create my own range of organic, fragrance-free skin care that catered to even the most stressed skin,” Jess said.

It was from that moment that ‘Fuca’, which cheekily stands for ‘F U Cancer’, was founded.

“I’m proud to be able to support other cancer patients experiencing similar side effects, as well as anyone with a compromised complexion. We also donate a percentage of every purchase to Breast Cancer Network Australia, which does fantastic work supporting cancer patients and their families,” Jess said.

Alongside her skin care products, Jess has also founded the Fuca Club (F U Cancer Club), which is a safe online and offline space for women going through cancer to seek information from others who have lived through it.

“Battling cancer can be so daunting and scary, so the Fuca Club aims to make others feel less alone,” Jess explains. “I was touched by so many other incredible women reaching out to me on my journey and wanted to create a space for others to feel supported.”

With a recent deal to stock Fuca products in Mecca’s new flagship store on Bourke Street Melbourne, and in Mecca online, the mother of two, now in remission, is working hard on her booming business.

“I’m so thankful for the support and expert care I received at Cabrini,” Jess said. “Dr Blackley, the entire oncology team, and the nursing staff were all incredible at every step of my cancer journey.”

Read more and watch Jess’s inspiring story, first published by Channel 9.

Read more about Cabrini’s breast cancer service