Breast cancer

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#Breast cancer

A COMPREHENSIVE SERIES OF ARTICLES ON THIS TOPIC

<p>Breast cancer sufferer and patients advocate Ziva Cussen, who died aged 24 on Saturday. Ziva spoke to the 'Irish Examiner' last year about delays she faced getting an ultrasound. See link at foot of this article. Picture: Instagram</p>

news

Tributes paid to inspirational breast cancer campaigner Ziva Cussen following her death at 24

Ziva, who died aged 24 at the weekend, became a tireless advocate for cancer patients after her own experience of diagnosis delays

<p>Irish Cancer Society director of advocacy Steve Dempsey pointed to reports last year that BreastCheck had missed its target of 195,000 screenings in 2024 by just under 30%. Stock picture</p>

politics

Breast cancer: Limerick and Kerry among worst affected counties in survival rate ‘postcode lottery’

<p>From left: Patient and breast cancer survivor Ciara Foskin; Taoiseach Micheál Martin; director of nursing at the Marie Keating Foundation Helen Forristal; and medical director at Exact Sciences Dr Sarah Reynia at at the launch of the Marie Keating Foundation campaign to encourage women to self-check for breast cancer. Picture: Sam Boal/Collins</p>

news

Charity calls for younger women to 'self-check' amid 26% rise in breast cancer among women aged 20 to 49

Hands holding glasses with beer on a table in London

news

Doctors call for warnings on 'proven link between alcohol and cancer' to be displayed on alcoholic drinks

I was diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer at 37 — here are the signs I noticed

health and wellbeing

I was diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer at 37 — here are the signs I noticed

Sarah Harte Writer head shot.png

Sarah Harte: Being proactive and vocal is key to women's health outcomes

'I’ll never know if that was the first breast cancer because there was no ultrasound done'

'I’ll never know if that was the first breast cancer because there was no ultrasound done'

Initially seen at a breast clinic, Niamh Noonan had a physical examination but no ultrasound

Mon, 06 Oct, 2025

HEALTH Exercise Addiction 2

Stress and cost is preventing women from protecting heart health

Worries about the high cost of health checks identified as a key factor for women ignoring heart health

Mon, 01 Sep, 2025

BreastCheck missing targets is a worrying step backwards

BreastCheck missing targets is a worrying step backwards

If a woman is referred to a diagnostic clinic, she should be scanned that day. Every week matters, and yet we are asking women to wait half a year while the disease potentially advances, writes Fianna Fáil senator Teresa Costello

Fri, 29 Aug, 2025

Breast cancer study

HSE says ‘problem’ with viewing BreastCheck register will be fixed next week

The HSE said that these details are on the system despite the register 'not showing your correct details'

Thu, 28 Aug, 2025

Unrecognizable female gynocologist looking at a mammogram at the hospital

HSE under pressure amid 'collapse' in number of women being screened for breast cancer

BreastCheck, the countrywide screening service for women aged between 50 and 69, missed its target of 195,000 screenings in 2024 by just under 30%

Mon, 25 Aug, 2025

My breast cancer story: 'I remember walking out feeling like I had come out of a war zone'

My breast cancer story: 'I remember walking out feeling like I had come out of a war zone'

Paula Guckian's first thought was of her two teenage daughters when she was diagnosed with breast cancer. Post-treatment, she intends to stay well and looks forward to meeting her grandchildren one day

Fri, 22 Aug, 2025

Female Doctor Examining Patients Birthmarks

The benefits of early detection when it comes to different cancers

Screening programmes are vital, but there is also much that each of us can do in terms of self-checking when it comes to spotting the early signs of disease

Fri, 08 Aug, 2025

HEALTH Breast Cancer 1

Three out of five breast cancer patients in Republic face financial and mental stress

Ninety per cent of patients in the North and 86% in the Republic suffering mental stress

Mon, 21 Jul, 2025

medical technician taking mammogram exam to female patient. Mature woman undergoing breast screening or mammography

Women waiting six months for scan to diagnosis breast cancer, says senator

Senator Teresa Costello said: 'I presented and I got a mammogram, a biopsy and an ultrasound that day, but fast forward to now and I’m speaking to girls who are waiting and waiting.'

Wed, 09 Jul, 2025

Delays in cancer treatment are 'causing avoidable deaths', Irish Cancer Society warns

Delays in cancer treatment are 'causing avoidable deaths', Irish Cancer Society warns

It also warned of major disparity in wait times for different regions across the country

Wed, 09 Jul, 2025

Call for publicly funded medication for breast cancer survivors who cannot take HRT

Call for publicly funded medication for breast cancer survivors who cannot take HRT

Breast cancer survivor Marguerite Herlihy said: 'I am paying to block my oestrogen when the government are paying to give women extra free oestrogen.'

Sun, 08 Jun, 2025

The Institute of Cancer Research stock

New drug can help stop certain breast cancer tumours early, trial shows

A trial called Serena-6 shows that camizestrant stops cancer cells from using hormones to grow, which helps patients stay well longer and delays the need for chemotherapy

Sun, 01 Jun, 2025

Book details advice for cancer patients to counter 'world full of nutrition misinformation'

Book details advice for cancer patients to counter 'world full of nutrition misinformation'

One breast cancer patient said: 'The very treatments that are keeping me alive also carry long-term risks to my heart, bones, brain, and other vital organs.'

Wed, 28 May, 2025

Coffee biofuel study

Irish researchers use leftover coffee grounds in nanomedicine treatment for breast cancer

Professor Silvia Giordani said: 'There was nothing special about the coffee we used, we just went out and bought it off the shelves in shops in Dublin'

Tue, 13 May, 2025

What A Difference A Day Makes: I was pregnant when I found out I was BRCA positive

S What A Difference A Day Makes: I was pregnant when I found out I was BRCA positive

Owner of LNH Edit, Laura Nolan Horgan changed the day she found out she was BRCA positive. She describes the immediate fallout of discovering she had a gene that put her at higher risk of cancer – but how it ultimately made her a more resilient, grateful person.

Thu, 01 May, 2025

Trial sees improvement in treatment of breast cancer survivors who develop lymphoedema

Trial sees improvement in treatment of breast cancer survivors who develop lymphoedema

The trial is running at five sites. The Irish Cancer Society wants a full roll-out of the early detection service

Thu, 24 Apr, 2025

I was shocked to be diagnosed with triple-negative breast cancer in my 40s

I was shocked to be diagnosed with triple-negative breast cancer in my 40s

Ciara Foskin’s diagnosis came out of the blue. She is part of a small cohort of women under 50 who develop triple-negative breast cancer in Ireland

Fri, 14 Mar, 2025

Breast cancer study

Breast cancer diagnoses and deaths to surge by 2050, scientists say

There will be 3.2 million new cases and 1.1 million deaths a year worldwide by 2050 if current trends continue, study found

Mon, 24 Feb, 2025

Breast cancer study

Patient advocate raises alarm on breast density after delayed cancer diagnosis

More than 6,000 people have signed a petition calling for standardised breast density notification for women having mammograms

Sun, 16 Feb, 2025

'We are invisible': Survey finds gaps in treatment of women with advanced breast cancer

'We are invisible': Survey finds gaps in treatment of women with advanced breast cancer

The survey carried out with Cancer Trials Ireland found one in five women cannot pay their monthly bills and 87% face mental illnesses

Tue, 10 Dec, 2024

Breast cancer patients denied medical cards forced to 'choose between health and financial stability'

Breast cancer patients denied medical cards forced to 'choose between health and financial stability'

Medical cards would provide 'vital support' for breast cancer patients

Wed, 20 Nov, 2024

Side view of woman wearing a headscarf

Three women on why they said no to breast reconstruction after mastectomy

Most women who undergo a mastectomy opt for breast reconstruction. However, some prefer to avoid the risks associated with extensive surgery and stay flat. We speak to three women who made this choice

Fri, 25 Oct, 2024

Foundation advises women in their 20s to self-check for breast cancer

Foundation advises women in their 20s to self-check for breast cancer

Also, a €5m research programme for breast cancer was announced

Thu, 24 Oct, 2024

Breast cancer study

Hormonal coil may be linked to increased risk of breast cancer – study

The study found an “unexpected” association between the use of an intrauterine system IUS and an increased risk of the cancer in women aged 15 to 49

Wed, 16 Oct, 2024

'I'm still alive to complain about it': Breast cancer survivors find wellness through Limerick Dragons

'I'm still alive to complain about it': Breast cancer survivors find wellness through Limerick Dragons

In Limerick, dozens of survivors gather in paddle dragon boats to improve their wellness and raise awareness

Thu, 10 Oct, 2024

Breast cancer at 33: I worried I wouldn't see my children grow up

Breast cancer at 33: I worried I wouldn't see my children grow up

When Aisling Voakes was diagnosed with breast cancer in January, she was terrified for her three young children. Despite undergoing a double mastectomy, chemotherapy and hormone treatment, which will bring on early menopause, she is determined to enjoy every minute of life

Fri, 23 Aug, 2024

High-pressure oxygen chambers in Cork help patients catch their breath again

High-pressure oxygen chambers in Cork help patients catch their breath again

Designed for divers suffering from 'the bends', a hyperbaric system in West Cork is helping patients including those with cancer, MS, and long covid, writes Sarah Horgan

Sat, 20 Jul, 2024

I decided to get a (double) mastectomy, to lower my chances of recurrence

I decided to get a (double) mastectomy, to lower my chances of recurrence

At the age of just 24, Tanya had to learn how to navigate her cancer diagnosis, treatment and regain body positivity

Fri, 31 May, 2024

'Send that text': 'Cancer ghosted' mother urges people to reach out after loved ones' diagnosis

'Send that text': 'Cancer ghosted' mother urges people to reach out after loved ones' diagnosis

'Nine times out of 10, we (cancer patients) don't want to talk about cancer, we just want to know what is going on in other people's lives.'

Tue, 21 May, 2024

Breast cancer research

Scientists hail 'game-changer for breast cancer research'

Breakthrough after discovering how to preserve breast tissue outside the body for at least a week

Mon, 20 May, 2024

Breast cancer study

Preserving breast tissue outside of body will aid cancer research – study

Experts found the preserved breast tissue maintained its structure, cell types and ability to respond to a series of drugs in the same way as normal breast tissue

Mon, 20 May, 2024

Book review: A memoir delves into the poignant loss of a mother

Book review: A memoir delves into the poignant loss of a mother

Anecdotes from old friends form a strong link to writer Genevieve Kingston's mother, and through their love, the spirit of Kristina is kept present to her daughter, and now, to the wider world

Sat, 18 May, 2024

Work to expand Ireland's screening programmes 'in progress' — Health Minister

Work to expand Ireland's screening programmes 'in progress' — Health Minister

Stephen Donnely confirmed the National Screening Advisory Committee was 'progressing work to consider the further expansion of Ireland's screening programmes' — in particular, BreastCheck

Fri, 17 May, 2024

Breast cancer study

Breast cancer survivors at significant risk of entirely new cancers

Breast cancer survivors are at significant risk of developing entirely new cancers somewhere else in the body, researchers have warned.

Thu, 25 Apr, 2024

Breast cancer study

Report suggests people with breast cancer are being ‘systematically left behind’

Many people with breast cancer are being “systematically left behind” due to inaction on inequities and hidden suffering, experts have said.

Tue, 16 Apr, 2024

HEALTH Breast Cancer 1

Breast cancer care suffering due to reduced staff, new research finds

Doctors working in breast cancer care have warned that patient safety has been deteriorating due to reduced staff numbers and inadequate systems for record keeping.

Mon, 11 Mar, 2024

Karen Murray: Hospitals need to provide the care and dignity that cancer patients deserve

Karen Murray: Hospitals need to provide the care and dignity that cancer patients deserve

Hospital capacity has not risen in step with our growing population, and cancer patients, who are particularly vulnerable to covid-19, flu, and RSV, are bearing the brunt

Sun, 04 Feb, 2024

New test allows breast cancer patients to safely skip chemo

New test allows breast cancer patients to safely skip chemo

The HSE had 828 patients tested altogether, and 480 of them avoided chemotherapy

Fri, 08 Dec, 2023

Sabina Higgins thanks public for support following breast cancer treatment

Sabina Higgins thanks public for support following breast cancer treatment

In a statement, Ms Higgins reminded women of the importance of getting checked

Thu, 07 Dec, 2023

'I was sure I was going to die,' says woman who underwent mastectomy while pregnant

S 'I was sure I was going to die,' says woman who underwent mastectomy while pregnant

Alicia Lynch was diagnosed with breast cancer for the second time when pregnant with her third child. She is now living with metastatic cancer

Fri, 29 Sep, 2023

'It’s like smart chemo': New breast cancer treatment a 'game changer'

'It’s like smart chemo': New breast cancer treatment a 'game changer'

Avril Tierney is one of many women benefitting from breakthrough personalised treatments for advanced breast cancer which has led to a dramatic increase in survival rates

Fri, 29 Sep, 2023

Working life: Two radiologists read each mammogram to improve cancer detection

S Working life: Two radiologists read each mammogram to improve cancer detection

Dr Jane Cunningham, consultant radiologist, Breastcheck Southern Unit

Fri, 29 Sep, 2023

Breast cancer: 'You just never think it's going to happen to you'

Breast cancer: 'You just never think it's going to happen to you'

Two mothers talk about being diagnosed with breast cancer. One heard the news on the same day she found out she was pregnant; the other was told she needed to undergo an operation on the day her son was due to start school

Fri, 01 Sep, 2023

My breast cancer diagnosis: Telling my children was the hardest part

My breast cancer diagnosis: Telling my children was the hardest part

When mum-of-two Leona Daly was diagnosed with breast cancer, she was advised by the hospital to be honest with her children. It was Christmas week which made the conversation all more difficult

Fri, 28 Oct, 2022