Keeping cancer out in the open

The National Cancer Registry predicts that the incidence of cancer in Ireland will double by 2040.

Deirdre Hegarty, 50, an occupational therapist from Kinsale, Co Cork, knows exactly what it is like to hear that “shocking and horrifying’’ cancer diagnosis.

Now almost 12 years in the clear, she can still vividly recall discovering a small lump in her breast, just days before her daughter made her First Holy Communion.

“I thought it felt a bit strange, and then tried to forget about it, but it was niggling at the back of my mind. So I decided to go to the doctor about it,’’ she recalls.

“She was very reassuring, but said I should get the lump checked out at the Breast Care clinic. There were signs everywhere saying ‘nine out of 10 lumps are nothing to worry about’ but I knew by the flurry of people around me that something was wrong.’’

A week after discovering the plum-stone size lump, Deirdre received the “terrifying’’ news that it was cancerous. The day after her daughter made her Communion, she was operated on.

“My father had died of cancer eight years previously, so I knew it was in the family and I was very upfront about it. I wanted it to be talked about, I didn’t want it to be hidden and I wanted people and my kids to know the word cancer and to realise that it can be fatal, but also it doesn’t have to be fatal either,’’ she says.

Deirdre needed two operations to remove the lump, followed by a course of chemotherapy and radiotherapy. To help her cope, she turned to walking, meditation and yoga.

“I meditated religiously almost everyday. It gave me the coping mechanism to go on with it and process it,’’ she recalls. “And the exercise helped too, even though I felt awful. It definitely gave me a focus to go for a walk everyday. It made me appreciate life, every day.’’

Not surprisingly, her advice to anyone who is worried about any lumps or strange-looking blemishes is to have it checked out immediately. “I was very lucky, mine was at the early stages. But just get yourself checked out, be reassured,’’ she says.

In 2012 Deirdre was ten years clear of cancer.

“My doctor said ‘congratulations’ and I suddenly realised I was clear and wanted immediately to celebrate. I knew I felt fine, but to get that reassurance from my medical team was so important and special,’’ she says.

“It is always there with you, the fear. Unfortunately a woman who went through the treatment with me at the same time, died last year.’’

To help raise awareness and funds for the Irish Cancer Society, Deirdre will be participating in the third Kinsale Pink Ribbon walk which will take place on Sunday, March 2, at 12pm.

To date more than €200,000 has been raised by 2,000 walkers.

Jackie Dawson, chairperson of the Kinsale Pink Ribbon Walk Committee, urges people to sign up.

“Unfortunately cancer is not going to be eradicated overnight, but we are doing our best to get active, raise awareness and fundraise for the Irish Cancer Society research projects and services, particularly in the Cork area,’’ she says.

Pink Ribbon walks will also take place in Kells, Co Meath; Killaloe, Co Clare and Kenmare, Co Kerry during May and June.

¦ www.pinkribbonwalk.ie or contact the committee on 086-2719556