Staying Abreast, brought to you by The National Breast Cancer Research Institute.

In this episode, Niamh Noonan and Muireann McColgan, share their powerful experiences with breast cancer and their advocacy through the ‘Too Young to Be Heard’ campaign – a campaign they co-founded with Ziva Cussen which gives a voice to younger women with breast cancer. Niamh, diagnosed at 30 with stage 3 triple positive breast cancer, reflects on the uncertainty leading up to her diagnosis. She...

In this episode, Hazel Martin, originally from Wicklow and now living in Drogheda, opens up about her journey with stage 1, grade 3 triple negative breast cancer while pregnant with her first baby at just 33 years old. Hazel shares how a small ache led her to discover a lump, and despite being vigilant with self-checks, she didn’t think it was cancer – especially while pregnant. After her diagnosi...

In this episode, Trish Farrell, a counsellor psychotherapist in private practice from Dublin, shares her deeply personal journey through stage 2 HER2-negative breast cancer. Trish talks about her history of monitoring benign breast lumps and how her instinct told her something was different in June 2021. Although her initial medical checks felt familiar, her GP and Consultant sensed something diff...

In this episode, Gert O'Rourke, originally from Portlaoise and now living outside Galway, shares her journey through aggressive HER2-positive breast cancer. With a family history of cysts, she knew the routine when attending the Breast Clinic – but this time she noticed that this lump felt different. Diagnosed in 2018, Gert was reassured by her medical team, including Professor Ray, that research...

In this episode, Lorraine Gallagher, a mom of four girls from Sligo, shares her journey through rapid and aggressive HER2-positive breast cancer. With no family history of breast cancer, feeling fit and walking a lot, she reflects on the surprise of her diagnosis. Lorraine discusses her treatment plan including aggressive chemotherapy, two surgeries, and 20 rounds of radiotherapy and highlights th...

In this episode, Laura Duane, a proud mom of two boys from Athenry, opens up about her journey through triple negative breast cancer and recurrence. She reflects on the shock of her diagnosis, her treatment plan – which included chemotherapy, immunotherapy with pembro and surgery – and the unwavering support she received from her family, friends and the medical teams both in Galway and Ballinasloe...

In this episode, Fiona Morgan Coleman, a mother and guard from Mayo, shares her journey with aggressive stage three breast cancer, including diagnosis, surgery, chemotherapy, and recurrence. She discusses coping with treatment, the emotional impact of hair loss, and her decision against reconstruction. Fiona highlights the importance of self-checks, support from her family and colleagues, and usin...

In this empowering episode, Johanna from Dublin opens up about her unexpected following a rare breast cancer diagnosis. While enjoying a holiday, always mindful of her health and wearing factor 50 sunscreen head to toe, Johanna realised something was wrong. What followed was a life-changing diagnosis of breast cancer.   Johanna shares her treatment experience, including extensive chemotherapy and...

In this powerful episode, we sit down with Aoife, a vibrant 30-year-old Galway native, who shares her deeply personal journey of battling breast cancer.   Diagnosed with breast cancer just a month after sitting her PhD, Aoife is now undergoing chemotherapy and facing a series of life-changing decisions. Aoife opens up about how she first discovered the lump that changed everything, and the importa...

In this insightful and powerful episode, Amanda opens up about her personal experience as part of a family with a strong history of breast cancer. Diagnosed in July 2018, Amanda shares her journey through the initial shock, the treatments, and the numerous medical appointments that followed.   Reflecting on the highs and lows over the past few years, Amanda offers insights into how she has navigat...

In this compelling episode, Tara from Cavan tells shares her personal battle with breast cancer, diagnosed at the young age of 36 – when she believed breast cancer was a concern later in life. After discovering a lump during a routine self-exam, she was shocked by the diagnosis but choose to stay positive. Tara discusses her experience with various treatments, including radiotherapy, immunotherapy...

In this heartwarming episode, Karen, a mother of three, opens up about her deeply personal story following her breast cancer diagnosis in early 2023. She walks us through the stages of her diagnosis including the many challenges she faced including physical injuries.   Karen highlights the incredible support she received from her family, especially her youngest son, who – together with his friends...

In this insightful episode, Rachel shares her unexpected journey of being diagnosed with breast cancer in 2007, despite feeling young, fit and healthy. As part of a clinical trial at the University Hospital in Galway under the care of Prof Michael Kerin, Rachel reflects on the wonderful care and monitoring she received over the years.   Rachel opens about the impact of loss in her family, revealin...

In this deeply emotional episode, Tammy, a biomedical researcher from Dublin, shares the personal story of her late mother, Deirdre, who passed away from breast cancer three years ago. Tammy reflects on her mother’s journey, from routine mammograms to an unexpected stage 4 breast cancer diagnosis, and the challenges Deirdre faced during treatment and clinical trials.   Tammy shares the highs and l...

In our first episode of ‘Staying Abreast’, host Aileen Hickie interviews Aisling Keogh, a Galway native and former hockey umpire, about her journey with breast cancer. Diagnosed shortly after her wedding in January 2018, Aisling shares her life before the diagnosis, the importance of body awareness, and the challenges she faced during treatment. The conversation highlights the significance of earl...