Pam's Breast Cancer Story

In 2017, Pam noticed a lump on her breast. She’d had a lump when she was 18, which was checked out and confirmed as a cyst. But this was different as it was increasing in size. 

By November 2017, she decided to go and get her lump checked out. “My GP mentioned I was under the screening age, but as I was concerned at this point, she referred me for further assessment. I had my triple assessment all in one day at the breast clinic. The breast surgeon did mention he was concerned but I didn’t want to worry family until I knew for certain.”

“By January 2018, they had preliminary results, and I was advised to bring someone with me. They told me I had HER2-positive breast cancer and wished to send me on for further scans, which involved travelling to Sligo and Dublin, which was extremely traumatic. So, the diagnosis was not stage one. It’s news nobody ever wants to hear. However, I was told that while my type was aggressive, it was also one of the best researched and treatable cancers with a wide range of treatments available. The breast surgeon was very positive to me, and said ‘most go on to live a very happy and full life’. And while of course, I knew there was no guarantees, those words really stayed with me and gave me something to cling too in the dark days that lay ahead.” 

“I was close to my dad and used to joke that I was his PA. I reluctantly only told him I had cancer when I was into my second round of chemo treatment and my energy levels for being his PA weren’t so good. He’d just say “you got this”. Those three little words still resonate with me to this day. He sadly passed away later that year at a good age. With age comes wisdom, he is sorely missed.”

“For my treatment, I began six rounds of chemoimmunotherapy. I received chemo, Perjeta and Herceptin which is a targeted drug for my type of breast cancer. Going through chemo was tough and I encountered a lot of anxiety. Chemo brain is a thing which can bring on anxiety. My treatment also placed me in chemical menopause, which was not so nice. I used to have to get my Perjeta and Herceptin, separately. It’s now available in a combination injection call Phesgo, which hopefully will be available for administering by your GP soon.”

While Pam has had a good support from family. She has also availed of the Irish Cancer Society’s Peer Support Service – connecting people with trained peer support volunteers who have similar cancer experiences a free and confidential service.

“I will never forget the first phone call from the Irish Cancer Society Peer Support volunteer. The volunteer shared with me that she was ten years with her diagnosis, now she is 17 years on. She gave me hope that life really can go on.

“I wanted to give back and have now become a peer support volunteer and an advocate for the Irish Cancer Society myself.  The comfort I got from talking to somebody was incredible and I was delighted to be there for someone else who needs to talk. It’s an incredible service I would encourage people who right now are in the middle or cancer or trying to re-adjust after cancer treatment, speak to the Irish Cancer Society about the Peer Support Programme and get connected with a volunteer.”

“I also availed of the free counselling service provided by the Irish Cancer Society. A friend who had been through chemo and whom I thought was really strong mentioned how beneficial she found it. I can’t recommend this service enough. I also sought advice on navigating my return to work.”

“In terms of starting a family, I was really worried given my diagnosis that this could now not happen. But we soon found out there are options. We were pursuing IVF prior to diagnosis. So once I finished chemo, we pursued surrogacy in Ukraine as it is well regulated here. We did however encounter delays with the outbreak of Covid navigating the transportation of our embryos and of course, the ongoing conflict. But we didn’t take our eyes off the prize and in 2023 we welcomed our baby boy. He has just lit up our life. He’s a wee firecracker. The outpouring of joy and congratulations was so beautiful.”

“Throughout my cancer experience, the Irish Cancer Society and my medical team have been unreal. The investment in cancer research is simply invaluable. I also feel there is a lot we can do as survivors to advocate from a patient point of view by vocalising our suggestions based on our lived experience. For example, I have been actively writing to my TDs and to Government on the need for a PET Scanner in the North West region which would have saved me trips to Dublin and advocating for medications to be made available and to be administered at a GP where possible, such as Phesgo to alleviate the unnecessary burden of patients having to travel to acute hospitals and wait around for hours in dreary waiting areas unnecessarily.

“As part of the advocacy, we are also calling for the breast cancer screening age to be lowered and support the Irish Cancer Society’s call for this to be dropped to at least 45 years of age.”

As well as sharing her story to call for cancer patients become active advocates, Pam is also sharing her story calling for a shift in public mindset about how we think of cancer. “When given a diagnosis, it’s not easy and I think people have to become more comfortable reaching out for help. For me, the Irish Cancer Society’s Peer Support Programme really helped me and now, I am delighted to say that I have become a Peer Support Volunteer myself. I am back at work, sea dipping, walking, spending time with my family and enjoying the little things life can offer.  Like the Pink song: ‘I am here’.”