Why we’re glad we had breast screening in our 40s
To mark Breast Cancer Awareness month, Lisburn mum Audra Wright and Newry woman Patricia Jennings talk about how Action Cancer’s screening services saved their lives
‘Getting the diagnosis was like throwing a deck of cards up in the air’
Audra Wright (50), lives in Lisburn with her husband Nigel and their three children, Jamie (24), Josh (21) and Annabel (14). Audra was diagnosed with Action Cancer in December 2015 at the age of 48 when she visited Action Cancer House for a breast screening. She says:
Ihad my first breast screening in 2011 at Action Cancer, after losing my beloved father to lung cancer in 2010. During my father’s illness I was made aware of Action Cancer as a support for myself and my father. I availed of all the services available to me and, more importantly, found out at this stage that Action Cancer offers a free breast screening for women aged from 40-49 and over 70 years of age.
My previous screenings with Action Cancer had been clear, but two weeks after the appointment in 2015 I received a letter from Action Cancer with some concerning news — that the screening had detected something.
My follow-up appointment was at Belfast City Hospital, where I had more tests.
Following an examination, an ultrasound and a biopsy at the hospital I was diagnosed with Stage 3 breast cancer in my left breast.
My life changed from the moment of diagnosis, it was like getting a deck of cards and throwing them up in the air; life would never be the same again. I believe I was in shock but went through the motions of telling close family and friends.
On February 9, 2016, I had a lumpectomy and a lymph node dissection. Afterwards I had six sessions of chemotherapy which made me incredibly ill. The first session affected me so badly I had to call the 24-hour helpline at Belfast City Hospital for advice and antibiotics. Then, during the third session I had to be hospitalised overnight and by the time I had my fifth session I was admitted to the Cancer Centre for 12 days with septicaemia.
The effects of the chemotherapy took its toll. I was physically and mentally scarred. I had hair loss, weight gain, a swollen face and scars on my left breast. The chemotherapy caused fatigue and nausea. I had limited mobility, shortness of breath and an ache in my bones.
I lost my identity and sense of self. My tolerance levels were low and my self-esteem plummeted.
At this stage I still needed more treatment and had a long
course of radiotherapy, which left me exhausted.
Then in December that year, I had another terrible shock. My younger sister, Kathy Ann, who had had a breast cancer diagnosis when she was 45, three weeks after my diagnosis, discovered she carried the BRCA gene.
I had a blood test taken by a geneticist and was found to carry the same BRCA gene as my sister. At an appointment with a geneticist I was told that being a BRCA gene carrier meant I had a higher risk of getting breast cancer at 50% and ovarian cancer at 30%.
Shortly afterwards I discovered both my sisters, as well as
myself, are BRCA gene-carriers.
I felt absolutely devastated as I already felt I had been through enough over the last year and knew it was going to mean more surgery.
As I am now classed as a highrisk cancer patient, I have to attend Antrim Area Hospital’s breast screening clinic for MRI and scans every year, and six monthly check-ups if there are any changes.
Having met with a breast surgeon I have decided to have a double mastectomy as risk-reducing surgery. I am currently waiting for the operation.
A gynaecologist also told me that I would need to have a hys- terectomy as a precaution due to my increased risk of a gynaecological cancer. I’ve had the op and am recovering well.
Because of my experience I cannot emphasise enough how important screening is. Early detection of breast cancer saves lives. I’d encourage all women to add this to your to-do list as soon as you hit 40.
My family has been devastated over the last two years with the shocking news of myself being diagnosed and then three weeks later my younger sister being diagnosed with breast cancer. It was very difficult for mum having two daughters really ill. The most devastating news then came when all three girls were diagnosed with BRCA 2 gene, so all required further screening and surgery.
Action Cancer has helped me so much with its services. I had a great experience with counselling and acupuncture I feel that Action Cancer support services definitely aided my recovery as cancer affects the physical, mental and emotional sides.
I struggled through depression, anxiety, fear, lack of selfworth and lost myself, but Action Cancer’s counselling supported me through it all.”