Embracing life while dealing with cancer

She received an appointment a couple of months later and initially both the examining consultant and breast surgeon said she was ‘too young to have cancer’ but sent her for an ultrasound and biopsy as a precaution. The scan revealed a ‘dark mass’ on the left side where the lump had grown since she initially noticed it, and also a smaller lump on the right side. Although doctors reassured her that these were most likely to be due to a cyst or fibroid, she knew there was something seriously wrong.

She returned to the hospital a week later with her mother and was told by her consultant that she had breast cancer. “Although I knew something wasn’t right, I still felt shocked and confused. My mam grabbed my hand, crying and telling me she was sorry — given the family history, she felt some sort of guilt. I was crying and couldn’t catch my breath.

“The nurse brought me into another room and said I was going to be fine and would get through it. Afterwards, I told a few close friends and family, who all shared the same shock and disbelief. 

“I felt somewhat overwhelmed by people’s well-wishes, as although, still in shock, I also felt shame, embarrassment and anger. I didn’t want attention, I just wanted to get on with my life and normality.” 

She was advised to attend genetic testing in Dublin due to a strong history of breast cancer in her family, and after drawing up the family tree, she was told that it was likely that she had the BRCA1 gene mutation. Following tests, this was confirmed, and she had to make a decision about what the next step would be.

“I decided to get a (double) mastectomy, to lower my chances of recurrence,” she says. “The doctor wanted to discuss reconstruction, implants and everything else, but I said no. I wanted to be flat. I got great support from women of all ages and backgrounds in Facebook groups, who had also made the same decision.”

On December 20, she got her pathology results — no tumours. “I cried with happiness and called everyone to share the good news. But there was also some sad news: a friend I met at chemo had passed away — I felt survivor’s guilt.

“I started radiation in April 2018 and a year later, I was done. I couldn’t believe it and had a party to celebrate the milestone.” 

Risks associated with the BRCA1 gene

But the story wasn’t over yet as while the Waterford woman was going through treatment, her mother, Patricia, was also diagnosed with breast cancer and underwent a mastectomy.

“I was grateful for her support in my own diagnosis, but to go through this together, it strengthened our bond,” she says.

in 2022 she had her ovaries and fallopian tubes removed to decrease the risk of ovarian cancer, also associated with the BRCA1+ gene.

 “Overall, my experience with cancer has encouraged me to appreciate my body and to celebrate all the milestones. I feel more confident and am very interested in body positivity and encouraging friends to love their bodies too, scars and all.”

  Tanya, now 31, works in retail, says that despite having undergone treatment and several life-changing surgeries, she is doing well and is even planning on taking part in a skinny dip to raise funds for charity.

“Today I’m in a good place with my health,” she says. “Cancer encouraged me to embrace my body and learn to accept myself. 

“I came across an advert for the Strip & Dip skinny dip (taking place on June 8) and after researching the benefitting charity, Aoibheann’s Pink Tie, and meeting the organiser, who is a cancer survivor, I signed up.

“This year will be my fourth year — we should embrace our bodies, and push ourselves out of our comfort zone to celebrate ourselves as survivors and remember those we have lost.” 

Embracing life is important to the cancer survivor.

“Since cancer, I definitely try to enjoy life more and make the most of every day,” she says. “Cancer was tough, and I worry about getting it again, but I want to enjoy each new day regardless as tomorrow isn’t guaranteed for any of us. I’m in a happy relationship with a supportive boyfriend and have just recently finished college — so I want to keep encouraging myself to try new things and reach more goals.

“My advice to others would be to get to know your body and what feels normal and if in doubt, see your GP. Attend mammograms and smear tests, speak up about concerns and know your options. Don’t be afraid to ask for help — just look after your body.”  

Anyone with concerns about having a predisposition to cancer should visit their GP

Consultant medical oncologist Prof Janice Walshe agrees and says that roughly 5% to 10% of breast cancer patients in Ireland have the hereditary BRCA1 gene, and it is most common in younger patients with surgery and/or medication being the recommended treatment route.

“The BRCA gene as we know it, currently represents most of the genetic mutations associated with a predisposition to breast cancer,” she says. “In certain cohorts, you will see higher proportions of BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations — the younger they are when diagnosed with breast cancer, the rates of carrying the mutations are higher.

“For people who don’t have cancer but have the mutation, there are circumstances where preventative surgeries are recommended, but others might opt for imaging surveillance such as breast MRI, alternated with a mammogram and ultrasound on a six monthly basis. Also, anyone who carries the BRCA mutation, once their family is complete, we would recommend the removal of ovaries and fallopian tubes.

“This treatment plan has been around for some time but there are new drugs which target the enzymes that are important in BRCA mutated patients.” 

 The cancer specialist says that anyone with concerns about having a predisposition to cancer should visit their GP, who can help to facilitate a referral and put their mind at rest.

“There is a lot of anxiety around cancers of all different types, so the most important thing is if they have symptoms such as bleeding from the nipple or any change in breast shape, those are real causes to the GP or get referred to a breast cancer centre,” she says.

“If someone has been diagnosed with breast cancer, there will be a discussion with the breast surgeon or the medical oncologist regarding the likelihood of any genetic mutation predisposition. If a family member has been diagnosed with a mutation, then usually there very straightforward pathway which they can follow.”

For more information visit cancer.ie

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stripanddip.ie