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

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

There has been a 26% increase in breast cancer diagnosis among women aged 20 to 49 in less than a decade in Ireland, and one of those women affected has called for the rising rates to be examined. 

Ciara Foskin is a mother, a sea-swimmer, a poet, but also a breast cancer survivor, having received her “horrendous” diagnosis aged only 46.

“I don’t trust my body anymore, which isn’t great,” the Waterford woman said. 

“I feel I can’t trust my body.” 

She will never forget hearing she had cancer in February last year at University Hospital Waterford.

“It was the only time in my life I ever experienced an out-of-body experience, my whole body froze,” she said.

“I was trying to muster the words ‘what do you mean' but I couldn’t talk, it was that shocking. It’s literally like your head is spinning.” 

Her cancer was only spotted after her "amazing" GP advised a check-up for a tiny new bump in one breast. 

I’m 48 today, I was 46 then when I got the diagnosis. I was not old enough for a regular mammogram, I wasn’t old enough to be checked.

“I would say that is a real issue.” 

She was diagnosed with Stage 2B triple negative breast cancer.

“Your whole life is just pulled out, like a vacuum, sucked from you and you’re left as a person who has all this ahead of you,” she said.

Her daughter was just nine and found watching her mother go through treatment, including shaving her hair off, very frightening.

“I was really scared too, and vulnerable,” Ms Foskin said. 

The treatment has been successful, however, and she said: “I’m cancer-free to the best of my knowledge.” 

Just last week, she published a book of poetry on her experiences, called ‘Meet the Follicles'.

Ms Foskin is an ambassador for the Maire Keating Foundation. It launched a new awareness campaign on Wednesday.

“A particular cause of concern is the rising trend in breast cancer in those under screening age. It makes it even more important for women to make self-checking a priority,” the foundation said.

Within the 20-49 age range, there were 677 diagnoses recorded in 2013, a total of 852 were noted in 2022 — a 26% increase. 

It analysed data from the National Cancer Registry of Ireland. BreastCheck mammograms start from the age of 50. 

Director of nursing services Helen Forristal advised women to “know your own family history so that you know if you might be at risk. We always say knowledge is power.” 

Taoiseach Micheál Martin launched the campaign, supported by Exact Sciences.