Sharon Morrison, 55, from Belfast, was diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer in July 2021. She has received care under Dr Mallon at the Northern Ireland Cancer Centre ever since.
Sharon is sharing her experience in the hope that it will encourage everyone across Northern Ireland to be more cancer aware, and carry out regular breast checks, this Breast Cancer Awareness Month and beyond.
“After my diagnosis, I had a left breast mastectomy and lymph node clearance, followed by six months of chemotherapy and three weeks of daily radiotherapy. I will be on medication for the next seven years and I have yearly mammograms and scans to keep on top of things. “I can honestly say the treatment I have received from day one has been excellent. Everyone, the breast care nurses, consultants, and after care, have all been incredible. My consultant, Dr Mallon, was so down to earth, he explained everything and answered my questions. I felt safe, confident and at ease with everyone I had looking after me.
“Friends of the Cancer Centre have been on hand throughout providing additional support. I attended yoga and Pilates classes, which was a lovely opportunity to take some time for myself and feel energised. My social worker worked with the charity to provide me with some financial support during my treatment too, which helped greatly at a difficult time.
“I used to get anxious going for treatment and some days I just felt I had been through enough. The journey was very tough at times with the side effects of treatment and even now I have some bad days, but I am so thankful for the treatment I was able to have. Having cancer puts all things into perspective, it has changed me both physically and mentally. I’m not where I need to be yet, but I am not where I used to be. I am keeping on keeping on.
“My eyes have been opened to a world where 1 in 2 people in the UK born after 1960 will be diagnosed with some form of cancer during their lifetime. When it comes to breast cancer, Friends of the Cancer Centre’s Breast Bud campaign tells you everything you need to know. I never had any lumps, my breast had been itchy for a long time on and off and I found it uncomfortable in some bras, but I thought it was all down to my age. Then my nipple inverted and that’s when I got it checked out. “It is so important that everyone gets to know their body and if anything changes, no matter how small that change is, please go and have it checked out. By picking up quickly on any concerns you can get the treatment that you need. Early detection is so important, as not everyone gets the chance to have the treatment I have.
“Thanks to the wonderful care I have received at the Cancer Centre, I have been able to return to the things I love – walking, kayaking, going to church, and taking my grandchildren on adventures. I have most recently been on a trip in a camper van in Italy, travelling with friends from Milan to Florence. It was definitely an adventure!
“Thank you to Friends of the Cancer Centre and thank you to the very large team of doctors, nurses and health care staff for their dedication, hard work, and care. You are amazing and worth your weight in gold.”
Sharon is currently the community champion with Tesco Lisburn Road and has been able to help raise awareness of the work of Friends of the Cancer Centre, our Breast Bud campaign and self-checking.
Friends of the Cancer Centre’s Breast Bud hangers have a handy step-by-step guide on how to carry out a breast self-check. The hangers are available, free of charge, from the charity’s online shop here
All Rights Reserved by Friends of the Cancer Centre.
Friends of the Cancer Centre is a registered company limited by guarantee in Northern Ireland. Company number NI616925. Registered with The Charity Commission for Northern Ireland NIC101345.
