Marian's Story
“We used to think cancer was one of those things that would never impact us, but it landed on our doorstep 3 times in the space of 10 years.”
In July of 2014, Marian Buckley’s first grandson was born. In November of that year, she was diagnosed with breast cancer.
A year before, in 2013, Marian’s husband Eamonn was diagnosed with Stage 4 Lung cancer. He underwent 6 rounds of chemotherapy and radiotherapy. His tumour stayed the same size after and during treatment – it didn’t grow nor shrink.
Marian, 61, from Mallow, Cork, didn’t find a lump, though she had a few other symptoms: “I started feeling very tired, and my hair started looking and I got a feeling in my right breast. I used to get insect bites, but this didn’t look like an insect bite. It just didn’t feel right.”
She went to her GP, who referred her to the Breast Clinic in Cork. She had a mammogram, ultrasound and had to return the following week for a biopsy.
Marian was diagnosed with stage 4 invasive ductal carcinoma breast cancer when she was 49.
“I just accepted it. What I can’t change, I have to tolerate. But it was tough telling my husband and children that I had cancer.”
Just 10 days after being diagnosed she started treatment. Before it started, she went to the hairdresser to shave her head. “Both my sisters took me to get my head shaved, and I told them to take before and after pictures. When the after picture was taken, my sister started crying,” she says.
She had 5 months of chemotherapy. She also had a surgery where the surgeons removed 27 lymph nodes under her arm. “I have to put my trust in the cancer doctors. They know best, so whatever they suggest, I would do,” she says.
Marian took part in a cancer trial. “I was on medication for 12 months. I got check-ups every year for 10 years.”
In 2015, Marian was told that there was no longer a sign of cancer, and she is now in remission for the last 11 years.
Marian also says the screening age for breast cancer should be lowered from 50 to 45. “Just because you’re not 50 years old doesn’t mean you can’t get breast cancer,” she says. “There was no history of breast cancer in my family. If I hadn’t gone when I was 49, then my cancer would not have been found.”
If she could speak to someone who was recently diagnosed with cancer she would tell them:
“Stay positive. There is light at the end of the tunnel. Put your trust in the treatments and get out and move. Continue eating, especially protein. Sitting inside and feeling sorry isn’t going to help.”
Her husband, Eamonn, was also diagnosed with Stage 4 Bowel cancer in 2022. In December 2025, he passed away while holding Marian’s hand. “I was married to my beloved late husband for over 40 years,” she says.
Marian walked in the month of June to fundraise for the Irish Cancer Society. “I took on this challenge for all those who have loved someone, lived with or sadly lost someone to cancer. I intend to walk 60 miles for Eamonn, 60 for families that have been affected, 60 for cancer patients, and some for myself too.” Marian ultimately walked 216 kilometres in June, as a part of the walking challenge, and raised nearly €4,000.
“The word cancer sounds scary, but the Irish Cancer Society gives hope. Hoped stands for helping out people every day.”
