But it's a reality she's had to face; one she's worried too many local women are staring down.
In Shepparton, breast biopsies – a potentially life-saving follow-up diagnostic breast cancer screening – can leave you $150 out of pocket.
But just two hours away in metropolitan Melbourne, this procedure is completely free.
“It's so frustrating,” Ms Boyle said.
“We have to question: can I afford this? And when it comes to breast cancer, women should not have to ask that.”
According to a state government spokesperson, women can currently access free primary screening at 42 permanent screening clinics across the state – including in Shepparton.
That includes mammograms and ultrasounds, with the government paying private clinics to provide this service to public patients.
But if there is a need for further assessment, including breast biopsies, they have to attend one of eight Victorian reading and assessment services for free follow-up tests.
The closest is in Bendigo – there are also services in Geelong, Ballarat and Traralgon and four in metropolitan Melbourne.
Member for Northern Victoria Wendy Lovell is calling on the Victorian Government to provide further funding so this crucial follow-up service can be free for women in Shepparton too.
“The government says everyone can get the biopsy test for free, but Shepparton women are travelling to metropolitan Melbourne to access that free service,” she said.
“Screening for breast cancer can be an extremely stressful time – you don't want the added stress of having to travel to Melbourne.”
Ms Boyle experience this firsthand.
Coming from a family with a history of breast cancer, she has dealt with breast lumps for years.
She books in mammograms and ultrasounds annually, and both this year and last year, received a message from her GP recommending she get a biopsy test.
“Last year I had some money from my husband's death to pay for it to be done in Shepparton,” she said.
“But this year I'm on a pension, and I don't have the capacity to pay $150. So I had to go to Melbourne.”
On Monday, Ms Boyle travelled to the city for a biopsy, a CD of her mammogram in hand.
But she was immediately turned around and sent back home, as the hospital she attended had installed a new computer system which couldn't upload the disc.
“Now I'll have to travel back down again,” she said.
Some women – such as Ms Boyle – are eligible for the Victorian Patient Transport Assistance Scheme (VPTAS).
This covers some of the travel and accommodation costs incurred by rural Victorians when they have to travel more than 100 km one-way for specialist medical treatment.
But Ms Boyle said it barely covered costs.
“By the time you pay for petrol, parking, lunch, you're still out of pocket,” she said.
“Then there's the time cost. My daughter had to take the day off to come down with me. Now she'll have to do it all over again.”
Ms Boyle said it almost put her off getting the test.
“Especially at this time when people don't have any sort of disposable income,” she said.
Ms Lovell is concerned many more women in Shepparton are being dissuaded from accessing this life-saving screening due to the cost.
“We know people respond better to treatment when it's in their own community, and they can have their family around them,” she said.
“We want for Shepparton women to get the exact same services for free that you can get in Melbourne.”
Shepparton screening services were contacted for comment.
The News was unable to confirm the price of a breast biopsy before going to print.
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