Alicia Lynch was diagnosed with breast cancer for the first time in 2017, at the age of 32.
“I had only just had my twins in 2015. I was trying to get back into an exercise routine so I joined a running club. I had a really tough evening run, later that night I couldn’t get comfortable in my bed. Whatever way I moved, I felt the lump in my breast. There was also a hardness present under my left arm-pit area.
“At first, I thought it could potentially be something that developed from all the running. I asked another girl who was also a keen runner, she urged me to get checked out by my GP. My GP then referred me on to a breast surgeon for further examination. At the appointment with the surgeon he looked at the lump and said he believed it was a cyst.
“I asked him to also look at the hardness in the arm-pit area. This was when everything changed. “Says the Carlow local.
After examining her under arm-pit area, the breast surgeon told Alicia he thought it was very likely breast cancer or lymphoma.
“Two days later, I had a triple assessment. Before it was even finished, the radiologist told me it was breast cancer.”
"“The doctors warned me that my daughter might deliver during the surgery. When I woke up following the mastectomy, I first thought, ‘is she here?’ "
Alicia was diagnosed with Her2+ breast cancer and a 6cm tumour was found in her arm-pit area.
“I went through chemo, surgery and radiation. Once I got through it, everything was going well and I felt I was on the mend.”
In 2020, Alicia fell pregnant again with her third child.
“I was eight months pregnant when I noticed a change in my breast once again. I rang my oncologist, she told me it was most likely pregnancy-related but I was uneasy, so I pushed for a check-up.”
Alicia had a biopsy taken.
“Unfortunately, the biopsy results showed that the breast cancer had returned. I was booked in straight away for a mastectomy.”
“The doctors warned me that my daughter might deliver during the surgery. When I woke up following the mastectomy, I first thought, ‘is she here?’ Two weeks after this I was induced, so my daughter Alice arrived early. I found labour after the mastectomy very difficult, but I was relieved to be able to breast feed from my other breast.”
“Post-birth, when I had my scans, they couldn’t find any further evidence of cancer. So they felt the small amount of cancer that was present, was removed during the biopsy. My consultant discussed next steps with a number of colleagues, and they felt no further treatment was needed.”
“As time passed, I felt a little uneasy. I pushed to have a PET scan to make sure everything really was okay. In June 2021, unfortunately, they scan showed my cancer had returned and had spread to my lung and thyroid.”
“I was totally floored. I had a one year old daughter at home, as well as two six-year-old twins. Straight away, I began my treatment again. It worked well for about a year but by summertime the following year, it stopped being effective, and my cancer began to spread again.”
“At this point, I was approached about a clinical trial. I met the criteria they were looking for to take part. The drug I was put on worked wonders, my cancer saw a 50% reduction after the first dose. It’s a grueling treatment, but I am happy to say I am currently living well with my cancer.”
The Irish Cancer Society has invested millions of euro into clinical trials since 2012. Clinical trials offer hope for a better future for patients by bringing amazing progress in medical treatments. The Irish Cancer Society is proud to further their commitment to Cancer Trials Ireland by providing €3 million of further funding over the next three years. This funding will help bring and start more trials right here in Ireland.
On advice she would give to others, Alicia says “When going through cancer, don’t be afraid to ask for help, for others around you, don’t be afraid to offer your help. I don’t think I could do this without the support of family and friends.
“I was slow to ask for help when I got my first diagnosis. I made life so much more difficult for myself. I wanted to do everything myself, no one could do it like me. Now I embrace the help and support.”
Alicia 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 cancer support services and life-changing research projects. 💗To get involved, visit: https://brnw.ch/21wDhFk
