Home And Away’s most heartbreaking cancer storylines

Billie (Tessa de Josselin)

Having just given birth to a baby son, and with the support of partner VJ Patterson, Billie had her whole life ahead of her. But life had other plans, and when she was diagnosed with an aggressive terminal cancer and told she had little time left to live, she and VJ decide to quickly marry at the hospital. She later passes away in VJ’s arms as they watch the sunrise over Summer Bay.

Romeo (Luke Mitchell)

The young surfer found out he had terminal stage four melanoma. Rather than tell his wife Indi (Samara Weaving) that he was going to die, Romeo left Summer Bay. After his exit, Indi received news that Romeo had passed away.

The story line was a harrowing one to watch – Romeo was a much loved ‘good guy’ of the soap, leaving fans devastated when he eventually departed.

Irene (Lynne McGranger)

One of Summer Bay’s most-loved residents was devastated when she learnt she had breast cancer. “Irene has been through the mill over the years, but this is being confronted by her own mortality,” Lynne said of the 2011 storyline.

Belle (Jessica Tovey)

One of the saddest farewells was the death of young Belle in 2009. Belle had been diagnosed with cancer but kept her diagnosis a secret. She only told Aden (Todd Lasance) the truth just prior to their nuptials.

The narrative left fans in despair, especially after seeing how far Belle had come from a troubled teen to a formidable young adult on the show.

Sally (Kate Ritchie)

Sally discovered she had cancer and had to undergo a hysterectomy. The operation left her unable to have children naturally. In the aftermath of her diagnosis she pushed her boyfriend Flynn (Martin Dingle-Wall) away, but they later reunited.

Colleen (Lyn Collingwood)

The Summer Bay busybody was lost for words when she got the grim news that she had cancer. Her doctor Flynn (Joel McIlroy) diagnosed her with breast cancer and she had to undergo treatment.

Flynn (Joel McIlroy)

Sally was left devastated when her husband Flynn lost his battle with cancer. Flynn had a cancerous mole on his back, and the cancer then spread. When he was told he had terminal cancer, Flynn was determined to spend his last few months making the most of his time with his loved ones.

Martha (Jodi Gordon)

Young mum Martha was given the tough news that she had breast cancer during a 2010 storyline. Martha discovered a lump in her breast and struggled with her decision about whether to have treatment for the cancer because she was pregnant at the time.