Her father had it, she had it and then at just 22 her daughter got it. For Gaye Bobbine, cancer is a deeply personal battle.
For four generations the Bobbine family has battled cancer, with two of Mrs Bobbine's aunts, an uncle and three cousins along with her father, herself and her daughter being diagnosed with the disease.
And now she is getting her two brothers on board Cancer Council Victoria's largest ever study, as it aims to prevent the disease affecting families as it has her own.
Speaking at the launch of the new Australian Breakthrough Cancer (ABC) Study, Mrs Bobbine said the information she learnt from ongoing cancer research was lifesaving.
"It is really important. It gives the knowledge to go have the tests done," Mrs Bobbine said on Friday.
"Both my girls have the breast exams and pap smears done very regularly and that's what saved Stephanie's life."
Up to 50,000 Australians will take part in the ABC study, which will investigate the roles that genes, lifestyle and environment play in the development of diseases.
Cancer Council Victoria CEO Todd Harper said the large-scale study would allow researchers to better quantify individual risk factors for cancer and lead to prevention programs targeted at those who need them most.
"We expect the ABC Study will lead to new discoveries in genetic, behavioural and environmental risk factors for cancer and other chronic diseases," Mr Harper said.
"This will allow us to develop and refine effective ways for people to reduce their risk of being diagnosed."
The study is looking for Australians between 40 and 74 who have never been diagnosed with cancer but have a history of the disease in their family.
Victorian Health Minister David Davis was the first to sign up for the study, with one of his grandparents being diagnosed with cancer.
