'Cancer can happen to anyone... when something feels off, take note of it' 

Julia Banasiak on her graduation day in UCC.

A young woman has issued a potentially life-saving message as she celebrated three years cancer-free on her graduation day from University College Cork (UCC).

Julia Banasiak, 24, said she wanted to tell her cancer story to raise awareness among young adults of the warning signs of the disease ahead of the Irish Cancer Society’s annual Daffodil Day fundraiser on Friday.

“Unfortunately, cancer can happen to anyone of any age,” she said.

“It is so important to be aware of one’s body and check it regularly; when something feels off, take note of it and see your medical team.

“Always advocate for yourself, it might save your life.” 

Originally from Poland, Julia moved to Limerick with her family 16 years ago and has been living in Cork since 2017 when she joined UCC as a student of the dental school and hospital.

Her mother first noticed a bump on the back of Julia’s right shoulder in May 2020.

Julia contacted her GP, and arrangements were made for the tumour to be operated on.

But in October 2020, Julia received the devastating diagnosis of chondrosarcoma, a form of bone cancer.

She underwent two more operations, including one which involved the removal of her right shoulder, before she got the all-clear in 2021.

Julia Banasiak: 'I have a passion for dental public health and public health so I am excited to continue my career in that direction.'

This week marked the three-year anniversary of her all-clear, and she celebrated on the double with her family and friends as she graduated with a masters degree in dental public health — one of 287 healthcare professionals to graduate from UCC on Thursday.

Her undergraduate degree was created by the Dental School as a non-clinical exit route from dentistry, which allowed her to receive a degree after her three cancer surgeries, and the removal of her right shoulder, left her unable to continue clinical dentistry.

She recently began working as a research assistant at the Health Implementation Research Hub at the School of Public Health at UCC.

“I have a passion for dental public health and public health so I am excited to continue my career in that direction,” she said.

“I am forever grateful to all the staff at the Dental School and Hospital, the Oral Health Services Research Centre, and the School of Public Health for their support.”

UCC dean of the School of Medicine Professor Paula O’Leary congratulated all graduates at Thursday's spring conferrings, which saw students from the College of Medicine and Health graduate with degrees, masters and PhDs across a range of diverse specialist areas — including medicine, clinical pharmacy, public health, sports and exercise medicine, nursing and midwifery, pharmaceutical technology and quality systems, older person rehabilitation, occupational health, surgical science.

Some 100 students also graduated in paramedicine — 77 with a BSc in paramedicine studies and 23 postgraduates with an MSc in specialist paramedic practice.