'Bit of a shock': South Australian MP reveals she has breast cancer

South Australian Liberal MP Michelle Lensink has spoken out about her shock breast cancer diagnosis.

The 54-year-old politician and mother revealed this morning the discovery was made after she underwent a regular screening while visiting a breast specialist for another condition.

The MP said she was ready to fight and hoped it was wake up call for other women.

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"When your doctor rings you and tells you to come in rather than giving results on the phone, you know something's up," Lensink said.

The news has prompted an outpouring of support from all sides of politics.

Lensink is using her diagnosis to highlight the importance of early detection, which can be done for free for eligible women at Breast Screen SA clinics across the state.

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"I did want to get the message out there," she said.

Statistics show having an early diagnosis improve your chances of surviving breast cancer by 41 per cent.

The upper house MP will soon undergo surgery when she will take some time off.

She plans to keep working until her treatment and after.

With cancer found early, Lensink said she was determined to beat it.

"There's a bit of shock but I want to fight this thing so I can't fall in a heap," she said.

"I've got to take the advice and just keep moving forward."