I never considered the possibility I’d get pancreatic cancer

Katherine Aherne’s pancreatic cancer diagnosis came as a shock, especially since she was healthy and fit at the time. After undergoing chemotherapy and radiotherapy, she had major surgery and is still doing well two years later

Katherine Aherne, who was sucessfully treated for Pancreatic Cancer having been diagnosed almost three years ago. Photograph Moya Nolan

According to the Irish Cancer Society, roughly 600 cases of pancreatic cancer are diagnosed in Ireland each year. 

It has one of the poorest prognoses of all cancers, with fewer than 15% of Irish patients surviving beyond five years.