“When I got the first bit of news, I kind of took it in my stride. But, after the second bit of news, I feel like it’s been a bit of a rollercoaster of emotions ever since.” In summer 2023, Mags Nolan, aged 50 from Tallaght was having some stomach issues when a CT scan showed up something in her breast. “I have haemochromatosis, a condition where iron levels in the body build up slowly over years. So, I’m regularly in and out for check-ups. I also have a history of cysts so have had many visits to the breast clinic over the years. When the consultant spotted something, I thought it would be another cyst.”

Following her triple assessment, Mags was told she had stage 1 oestrogen receptor breast cancer in her left breast. However, a month later, following further tests including an MRI and biopsies, she was told she had lobular breast cancer in both breasts. 

“In the first set of circumstances, I would have required a lumpectomy, some radiotherapy and all could have been done within six weeks and I could get on with my life. When I heard that news, I was actually more upset about the fact I’d have to come off my HRT and get my coil out. But then the circumstances changed. With the second diagnosis, my treatment would be more intense. These are the twists and turns of a cancer diagnosis.”

With lobular breast cancer in both breasts, Mags had a decision to make about her treatment pathway. “Throughout my cancer experience, I felt very much in control of what we did next. One of the best pieces of advice I ever got was from my GP who said, ‘get a little notebook and write down any questions or anything that is niggling at you.’ So, for every appointment, I would have my notebook and pen. I asked my questions, got my answers and we would make decisions about the treatment pathway together. Doctors were fearful of my risks of reoccurrence. I could have gone for a mastectomy and then a lumpectomy in the other breast, or a double mastectomy. I think there and then with my husband in that consultation room we were firm in what we wanted – I was going for the double mastectomy.”

In doing her research ahead of her surgery, Mags expressed her preference for muscles and tissue to be taken from elsewhere in her body for breast reconstruction. “Looking back, I had something in my head against implants. I think I wrongly associated those with people who are vain. And that was wrong of me. I originally wanted to undergo flap surgery from my stomach up to my chest and then we looked at my back, but due to my own health conditions—I have Factor V Leiden, which means I’m prone to blood clotting, and I have a bulging disc in my neck—my medical team ruled out going to my stomach and my back. And in the end, it was the best thing that could have happened. The same day I got my double mastectomy, the implants went in and I underwent my breast reconstruction.”

After her surgery, Mags began her recovery. “Because we did the surgery and implants in the one day, I only had one recovery. On day two of my recovery, I remember the physio had me up and out of the bed walking. We went slowly, but I need to get up and get on with it for my posture and to get my breathing going again. Even though I knew I was getting better, and I was going to be able to recover at home, I didn’t want to leave the hospital. I was afraid of something going wrong and needing to have the medical team near me. I spoke on the phone to a nurse friend of mine, and she said to me ‘what if somebody else needs that bed?’. I think I hung on one more day, but I went after that. It can be hard to leave the care of the hospital but it’s a step we have to take.”

Before attending her surgery, Mags visited her local cancer support centre in Tallaght. “I was able to avail of free counselling, and that really helped me. Throughout my treatment, my physical health was being looked after by my medical team, but I knew I needed to look after my mental health as well and process what was going on. I also attended a talk in Tallaght Library given by Professor Anne-Marie O’Dwyer who has written a book, The Cancer Guide. This helped me look down the road beyond my active treatment and focus on my mental rehabilitation. There are great supports and resources out there for people going through cancer, and I really encourage anybody going through it to reach out and make use of them. It took me a while to get to the point of crossing the threshold into asking for support outside of the house here, outside of my friends and family. But I had to take my time.”

In sharing her story, Mags wants to highlight that breast cancer is not necessarily an older person’s disease. “I’m very proactive and I’m a good advocate for myself. I’d encourage anybody of any age to know how to check yourself, and if you have a lump, you need to go to a doctor and get it checked out. If you are really concerned about it, push for a referral to a breast clinic.”

She is sharing her story because she wants to raise awareness and encourage people to be comfortable talking about cancer. “I know there are people who decide to bottle it up and there can be ways of thinking about cancer that is very personal. I spoke to one man who said his father had never told him he had prostate cancer because that man felt that if he spoke about his cancer, he was feeding it, feeding its energy. And that will be some people’s approach, but mine is different. When I speak about my cancer experience, I’m using it as an opportunity to raise awareness, to encourage those around me to become more informed, and to give and get support for myself. I think we’re better off talking about it.”

This Breast Cancer Awareness Month, we're calling on the Irish public to host a Big Pink Breakfast or make a donation to support vital services and supports for breast cancer patients and their families. For more information, visit: Big Pink Breakfast | Irish Cancer Society

For any cancer-related queries, please get in touch with our Cancer Nurses through the Irish Cancer Society Support Line at freephone 1800 200 700 or by email at supportline@irishcancer.ie.