Hynda Feldman is an industrial chemist by profession and has always had an interest in medical issues. Diagnosed with breast cancer in 2011, Hynda thinks of herself as a good example of how medical research into the early diagnosis and detection of breast cancer can save lives, and it is this message that she wants to share with others.

"Without medical research, I probably would not have been diagnosed for at least five years when a probable lump would have been found", says Hynda "If that was the case, my journey would have been quite a different path - of this I am certain".

With breast cancer being the most commonly diagnosed cancer among women in Australia (excluding non-melanoma) and with 1 in 8 women diagnosed in their lifetime, research is crucial in developing better therapies, greater understanding of possible ways to stop the spread of the disease together areas and improved quality of life for patients and their families.

Hynda first heard of Register4 when she attended a seminar for the National Breast Cancer Foundation (NBCF).

'One researcher said that by joining Register 4 and researchers having access to those people, she was able to cut the time down for finding suitable applicants from one year to less than a week! To me, this was huge, because time is money, and researchers can get more for their money if the search for suitable candidates is reduced significantly'.

Hynda also liked the fact that it was free to join Register4 and found it reassuring to know that it was a personal choice to take part in research projects and that she didn't have to participate in everything she was eligible for.

Hynda has participated in a few Register4 research projects; mostly psychological research since her mastectomy. She has found it interesting and hopes that her contribution has not only helped fast track research, but ultimately will find a cure for breast cancer.