Lucky mum Leona Doyle has told how reading about the tragic death of Girls Aloud’s Sarah Harding from breast cancer saved her life.
Tipperary woman Leona, 35, had just finished breast-feeding her youngest daughter when she found a lump on her breast.
The mum-of-four wasn’t alarmed at first and assumed it was a swollen milk duct.
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But when she read an article about how Girls Aloud star Harding – who died a year ago this month – had written off a painful lump on her breast as a cyst, Leona got on the phone to her GP straightaway.
“It was around this time Sarah Harding had passed away from breast cancer,” said Leona.
“I remember reading how she had put off seeking medical attention when she found lumps, so I decided it would be best to get myself checked out by my GP.”
Leona’s worried GP referred her to hospital for a mammogram and a biopsy – and she was diagnosed with Stage 3 invasive ductal breast cancer (IDC), the most common type of breast cancer accounting for 80% of all cases.
It had spread to her lymph nodes, but the doctors told her it should respond to treatment and so she was determined to keep confident.
Leona had a mastectomy and received radiation, chemotherapy and Zoladex injections. She will be on breast cancer treatment and prevention drug Tamoxifen for the next 10 years.
“I am so glad that I went to my GP that day,” says Leona, who has now finished her treatment, is cancer-free and is looking forward to the future with her family.
Sadly, by the time Harding was diagnosed, the cancer had already spread to other parts of her body.
Leona is among many breast cancer patients and survivors from around the country calling on people to join the Care for Your Pair movement, to mark Breast Cancer Awareness Month this October.
They are pushing men and women of all ages to learn breast cancer warning signs and start conversations with loved ones about breast health.
Farmer Bernie Sherry, 51, from Monaghan, was diagnosed with breast cancer in March 2020, just as the pandemic hit.
Bernie is urging people to “trust their gut” when it comes to their own bodies.
When Bernie had health concerns, she pushed to be seen by medics – despite disruptions to healthcare services as a result of Covid 19 – and it probably saved her life.
“I would say to trust your gut,” said Bernie. “If you notice anything unusual for you, get yourself checked out. You know your own body best.”
“When I was growing up, there wasn’t the same emphasis on minding yourself.”
The mum-of-two added: “I used be working hard most of the week and looking after everyone else but myself. I am a farmer’s wife. I have a very busy lifestyle. I would like people, especially women, to be kinder to themselves and prioritise their health.”
Sadly, Sharon Greaves, 55, from Dublin, believes she slipped through the cracks during the pandemic.
Sharon had just become eligible for breast screening when screening services were disrupted in 2020.
When her GP recommended a mammogram, Sharon sourced one privately, where imaging picked up two tumours in her breast.
But she believes if screening services hadn’t been disrupted, the cancer may have been picked up earlier.
“The first one was detected straight away, and they also caught a shadow, which a follow-up MRI identified as another tumour (so) I’m left to think had I been called for screening, would it have been caught earlier.”
Sharon, who had a full mastectomy and breast reconstruction in October 2020 followed by more surgeries and hormone therapy, added: “Maybe they would have caught it with the first tumour which might only have required a smaller surgery.”
More than 3,500 women and around 35 men are diagnosed with breast cancer in Ireland every year. Most are diagnosed early and the earlier patients are diagnosed, the more treatment options – such as surgery, radiotherapy and drug therapies – are available.
Breast changes include lumps or thickening in and around breasts and armpits, dimpling, red, tender breasts, swelling around armpits or under collarbones and flattened nipples. Check by learning what to look out for, like lumps or other changes to the look and feel of breasts or nipples. Look in the mirror for changes and feel for changes in the shower, when putting on moisturiser or when lying down.
Caroline O’Sullivan, Cancer Nurse with the Irish Cancer Society, said: “Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women in Ireland. It is vital therefore that everyone be ‘breast aware’.
“Check your breasts regularly. You have a better chance of cure and recovery if breast cancer is diagnosed early, before it has grown bigger or spread to other parts of the body. Learn what looks and feels normal for you and check your breasts every month. Talk to your GP if you notice anything unusual.”
Funds raised for ‘Care for your Pair’ will help breast cancer patients like Leona, Bernie and Sharon, providing services such as the Irish Cancer Society Support Line, Volunteer Driver Service, night nurses and free counselling.
Help the ‘Care for Your Pair’ campaign by hosting a Big Pink Breakfast or donating to cancer.ie/careforyourpair
Call 1800 200 700 or visit cancer.ie
Changes in your breasts to be aware of
- A lump or thickening in your breast or armpit.
- A change in the size or shape of one breast.
- A change in the skin of your breast, like puckering or
- Dimpling (the skin may look like orange peel).
- A breast abscess (infected boil) – this may appear as a • Red, tender area on your breast.
- A change in your nipple, like a pulled-in, sunken or • Flattened nipple.
- An unusual discharge (liquid) from one or both of your nipples – the discharge may be blood-stained or watery.
- A change on or around the nipple, such as a rash or flaky or crusted skin.
- Swelling in your armpit or around your collarbone.
- Breast pain alone is not usually a sign of breast cancer.
These symptoms can be caused by other things, but always get them checked by your GP.
How can I check myself?
- Get to know what’s normal for you – how your breasts look and feel.
- Know what to look out for, like lumps or other changes to the look and feel of your breast or nipple.
- Look for changes in the mirror and feel for changes, too. You could do this when you are in the shower, when putting on moisturiser or when lying down.
- Check all parts of your breast, your armpits and up to your collar bone.
- Discuss any changes with your GP – without delay Check your breasts regularly.
You have a better chance of cure and recovery if breast cancer is diagnosed early, before it has grown bigger or spread to other parts of the body.
Learn what looks and feels normal for you and check your breasts every month. Talk to your GP if you notice anything unusual.
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