Clare Breast cancer survivor Sharon Smyth is supporting the Irish Cancer Society’s Breast Cancer Awareness Campaign and encouraging the public to host a Big Pink Breakfast to help fund vital breast cancer support services and life-changing breast cancer research projects.
Every year, around 3,600 women and approximately 30 men are diagnosed with breast cancer in Ireland.
Sharon Smyth (55) from Newmarket-on-Fergus, Co. Clare was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2012, after she did a breast check and found a lump in one of her breasts. She went to her GP who referred her to a Breast Clinic for tests, which revealed her diagnosis.
Mother-of-three Sharon says: “They told me I had an aggressive form of cancer called triple negative breast cancer. I felt awful when I was told that.
“My three sons were 16, 15 and 12 at the time, and I immediately thought of them. I didn’t know what to do. My world fell apart, but I had great friends who were always there for me.”
Sharon’s treatment included a lumpectomy, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy. She finished her treatment in July 2013, and all of her scans have come back clear since then.
She added: “I knew things were going well when my scans after treatment came back clear. I used to have to go for a mammogram every six months, but they’ve spaced it out more and now I go for a yearly mammogram because my scans have all come back clear.”
Sharon is sharing her story to encourage people to support the Big Pink Breakfast campaign to help people like her who have been affected by breast cancer.
Sharon says: “I would encourage everyone to please get behind the Big Pink Breakfast campaign, a huge amount of the funding for the Irish Cancer Society’s breast cancer support services and breast cancer research projects comes from donations made by the public. If you are at all able, please support this important cause. You can sign up at cancer.ie/pink”
Mary O’Kelly, Cancer Nurse with the Irish Cancer Society, said: “Self-examination is so important for women of all ages, even those who are eligible for screening, as this only takes place every two years. Pick a date and try to do it as consistently as you can on a monthly basis.
“It’s really important that we are breast aware and know what is normal for us. If you notice any of the signs or symptoms of breast cancer and the change persists, please go to see your GP as soon as possible. Women can sometimes feel embarrassed or uncomfortable attending their GP with breast issues, but this examination could save your life. Your GP will perform a routine examination of your breast and if appropriate, refer you for further assessment.
If you are concerned about breast cancer, call the Irish Cancer Society’s Support Line on Freephone 1800 200 700. You can also find out more at www.cancer.ie”
This October the Irish Cancer Society is encouraging people to host a Big Pink Breakfast in their homes, workplaces, communities and colleges to raise funds to support breast cancer support services such as free counselling, transport to treatment, Night Nursing and much more. Funds raised will also be used to fund ground-breaking breast cancer research projects.
To learn more or get involved, please visit: cancer.ie/pink
Symptoms of breast cancer include:
A lump or thickening in your breast or armpit.
A change in size or shape of one breast like one breast becoming larger than the other.
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 like a rash or flaky or crusted skin.
Swelling in your armpit or around your collarbone.
Breast pain alone is not usually a symptom of breast cancer.
9 out of 10 breast changes won’t turn out to be breast cancer, but it’s important to go to your GP if you have any symptoms and get them checked out.
In 2024, generous support by the Irish public:
Fuelled more than 5150 lifts to treatment for breast cancer patients through the Irish Cancer Society’s Transport Service.
Provided over 380 nights of vital end of life comfort and care to breast cancer patients through the Irish Cancer Society’s Night Nursing Service.
Supported people affected by breast cancer through over 5,350 supportive and comforting conversations with the Irish Cancer Society’s Support Line and Daffodil Centre nurses.
Provided over 5,330 free counselling sessions to help breast cancer patients cope with a with their diagnosis.