Tag Archives: breast cancer

A CLARE woman who was diagnosed with breast cancer has opened up about her experience of taking part in clinical trials, and is encouraging others to ask their doctors if a trial is suitable for them. Sarah McGrath from Clarecastle, who has been nominated by government to be the next Ambassador to Singapore, was diagnosed with hormone receptor positive breast cancer in May 2020. On her last medical oncology appointment she heard about the opportunity to take part in the ‘Add Aspirin’ clinical trial funded by the Irish Cancer Society which is ongoing and focussed on studying non-occurrence. She says it was an “easy decision” to take part in the trial and the experience has been “very positive”. Sarah spoke to The Clare Champion ahead of International Clinical Trials Day on May 20, with Cancer Trials Ireland hosting a free webinar on clinical trials for members of the public on the day. Usually based in Dublin Sarah tells us it …

Liz Constantinescu tells Jessica Quinn about her breast cancer journey and the importance of being vigilant LIZ Constantinescu recalls the day she was diagnosed with breast cancer, leaving the hospital and looking blankly at the parking ticket machine, her mind racing and wondering what had just happened. The Ennis mother who was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2017 told The Clare Champion how her life was saved by a local GP and has urged women to ‘Care For Your Pair’ by being breast aware and checking their breasts regularly. Liz was diagnosed with breast cancer when her youngest child was just two years of age. Her mother had had breast cancer 25 years ago, and her fiance Gio’s mother had died from the disease, so she was aware of the need to check herself. However after the birth of her baby and breast feeding she wasn’t sure what she should be looking for and decided to go to her GP, …

The benefits of relationship counselling in maintaining communication and intimacy between partners following a cancer diagnosis is being highlighting, as Breast Cancer Awareness Month comes to an end and Movember begins. “Being diagnosed with cancer can be life-changing,” said Dublin-based Relationships Ireland’s clinical director, Maura Leahy. “One of the challenges a cancer patient may face is how to respond and deal with the effect of the diagnosis on the people closest to them. They may not know how to react and how to give you the support you need. Partners may stay silent due to the shock of the news or have difficulty responding to the anger or sadness that can often be felt, which can leave the patient with a sense of abandonment at a time when support is critical. Counselling can help improve communication between the patient and their partner at this difficult time, which will improve emotional and practical support on the road to recovery,” Ms Leahy said. …

Early detection, more personalised treatment and more knowledge about the causes and risk factors behind breast cancer mean that more people are surviving the disease than ever before. That’s the message for Breast Cancer Awareness Month this October, as the Irish Cancer Society looks back over 40 years to see the advances that have been made in the prevention, diagnosis, treatment and survivorship associated with this disease. Forty years ago the outlook for a breast cancer patient was vastly different from today. In 1976, almost half of women diagnosed with breast cancer died from the disease. Today, survival rates for breast cancer have increased to 85% over five years. As part of the Irish Cancer Society’s Paint it Pink campaign, taking place throughout October, people across Ireland are encouraged to raise vital life-saving funds that will support our continued investment in breast cancer research, advocacy and services. People can raise funds by hosting a pink coffee morning or event – …

BreastCheck has reiterated the importance of women between 50 and 64 availing of a regular mammogram when invited. The programme also encourages women in the age range to make sure they are on the BreastCheck register by checking online at www.breastcheck.ie or by calling Freephone 1800 45 45 55. For those women who have never been part of BreastCheck, there is a short video about having a mammogram on the website, showing exactly what happens at the appointment. Most women aged 50-64 have had at least one free BreastCheck mammogram, and eight out of every ten women come for their next mammogram when they get their appointment. However, the overall numbers of women taking part in the programme are falling and BreastCheck is particularly concerned that women in their early 50s are becoming less likely to go for their appointment. The risk of breast cancer increases with age and it is important women aged 50-64 avail of their regular free …

THE Ink it Pink campaign begun by Ennis teacher, Carmel Kelleher has gone from strength to strength since its launch at the start of October. Tattooist Dave Donnellan is busy tattooing the tiny pink ribbons on supporters and has now decided to designate a full day, next Wednesday, to keep up with the demand. Dave will also bring in another tattoo artist to help him with the bookings in his studio on Barrack Street on Wednesday. “The publicity from The Clare Champion article was great to launch the campaign and the response has been terrific,” Carmel explained. “Ink it Pink is a novel idea and it is generating great interest. All age groups have already tattooed and donated for a myriad of reasons,” said the Gaelscoil Mhichíl Cíosóig teacher. Carmel, who had breast cancer in 2009, launched her campaign in response to the deaths of three of her friends this year and had her own wrist tattooed on impulse in …

BREAST cancer volunteers in Killaloe and Ballina were tickled pink this week, following confirmation that an annual, local, charity walk has raised an impressive €325,000 for Action Breast Cancer since 2010. Last June, almost 900 people descended on the Shannonside towns of Killaloe and Ballina to take part in the fifth Killaloe Pink Ribbon Walk, to raise funds for Action Breast Cancer, a programme of the Irish Cancer Society. It was the biggest event yet and was made all the more successful by the support received from the local community and businesses. Pink bra bunting hung from the historic bridge, sweets and drinks were handed out all along the route, and every house and shop had pink draped from their door or window. The local committee presented a cheque on Thursday evening to Joanne Murphy of the Irish Cancer Society for €52,098. A committee spokeswoman described the sum as “an astounding amount”, which was testament to the incredible fundraising efforts …

A West Clare  woman  had what she described as a “dreadful” experience at the University of Limerick Hospital last week.  Originally from Kilkee but now living in Lahasheeda, Mary Dillon, who underwent treatment for breast cancer in June 2013, recently had related health issues. “In the last four weeks, my breast got inflamed. I was on antibiotics for a week,” she explained. Last year, Mary, who, along with her husband, is a retired teacher, received six weeks of radiotherapy treatment in Limerick, although her surgery was in Galway. Following treatment from her GP, Mary was advised to attend UL hospital in Limerick last Tuesday week. “I was there at 3.20pm, in the Surgical Assessment Unit, and I got a bed at 7.10pm. In the meantime, I had a few examinations. I gave urine samples and they took my temperature. All the routine stuff,” she explained. In preparation for surgery the following day, Mary was put on an intravenous drip. Having …