Action Cancer is a remarkable charity that changed my life

12 November 2025

A TECONNAUGHT breast cancer survivor is encouraging women aged 40 and over to avail of a charity’s breast screening service which she believes saved her life.

Bronagh Mulholland booked an appointment with Action Cancer’s early detection service when she turned 40 last year.

Thanks to this screening, her cancer was caught at a very early stage long before she would have noticed any symptoms.

Action Cancer is the only charity in the UK and Ireland to offer breast screening to women aged 40 to 49 and 70 and over who fall outside the NHS age range (50-70).

“It’s a truly incredible charity that changed my life,” Bronagh said.

“I had a small tumour. The doctor said they couldn’t have picked it up any earlier and it would have been two years before I felt anything wrong,” she explained.

Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer in the UK, and the number diagnosed each year is increasing.

Symptoms of the disease can include a lump or swelling, change in the skin, change in shape or unusual discharge.

The charity delivers its services from Action Cancer House in Belfast, as well as onboard their mobile unit, the Big Bus, which travels to 200 locations throughout Northern Ireland.

“I booked an appointment at Action Cancer House in Belfast when I turned 40. I always go to cervical screenings and thought this was no different,” Bronagh explained.

“It was a 10 minute appointment in a relaxed charity environment, not like in a hospital.”

A year post-diagnosis, Bronagh was approached by the charity and asked if she wanted to become an Active Cancer ambassador, to which she agreed whole-heartedly.

“I wanted to raise awareness and give something back,” she said.

And she has done just that. Last month Bronagh organised a sponsored pink walk with the help of Teconnaught GAC for Breast Cancer Awareness Month, raising £723.50.

Earlier this year she also took part in the Breast Foot Forward Walk, walking 10K with her sisters, Maria and Lisa, and raising a whopping £2,686.

“My other sister, Emma, in Australia, wanted to be a part of it so she also raised money and did the 10K with her husband on the same day as us,” she said.

Bronagh said getting detected early not only saves lives but has a “ripple effect” on those around you.

“Individuals and their families can avail of counselling with Action Cancer which is trauma-informed and can provide you with coping mechanisms,” she said.

Counselling with the charity is available to anyone aged five and above, either face-to-face at Action Cancer House or virtually.

Bronagh is urging women aged 40 and over not to hesitate booking an appointment to get screened.

“It’s so important to avail of screening. One in two people will receive a cancer diagnosis in their lifetime,” she said.

“If found early breast cancer is very highly treatable and you won’t need aggressive treatment.

“My story could have been very different,” she added.

Action Cancer appointments for breast screenings for women aged 40-49 and 70-plus are released every Wednesday afternoon on their website: www.actioncancer.org/bookings

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