Mum Niamh’s brave battle in combating breast cancer

Mum Niamh’s brave battle in combating breast cancer

27 September 2023

A CASTLEWELLAN mum has provided a detailed insight into her devastating breast cancer diagnosis.

Niamh Clarke — a mum of three — was diagnosed in April 2021 in the middle of the Covid pandemic when her youngest child was only seven months old.

Having lost her grandmother to breast cancer many years ago when she was in her late 70s, the local mum said she was very aware of the importance of checking herself.

That meant her own diagnosis came after discovering a lump during a routine self-exam in the shower.

Niamh revealed that one Saturday she found the lump in her left breast and knew straight away that it wasn't a blocked milk duct, having just had a baby recently. 

“I said to myself 'this is breast cancer, I just know it'," she recalled.

"I rang my GP that Monday who saw me straight away and red-flagged me to the City Hospital. My aunt had only been diagnosed the week before with breast cancer and another aunt 10 years ago, so my GP was aware of the family history.”

Ten days after seeing her GP, Niamh’s eldest sister Kelly drove her to Belfast for the appointment where she had a mammogram, scan and biopsies done by some lovely nurses who were absolute angels.

"A while later I was brought into the consultant's room and I was told I had cancer. As a single parent of three children, my first thought was - 'I can't die because who will look after my children? I am all they have’.

"I didn't cry - I just kept asking if I was going to die but they told me they were going to throw everything but the kitchen sink at me in terms of treatment. I had invasive carcinoma and lobular breast cancer, which is two different types in the same breast."

Niamh underwent a lumpectomy, double mastectomy with implants, chemotherapy, radiotherapy and hormonal tablets before she got the all clear. 

A short time later after a family holiday in Spain, she developed sepsis in her left breast implant.

She continued: “I was devastated at the thought of having to live with one breast but again I had to think that I'd rather be alive for my children. 

“This year I had to undergo a hysterectomy as I carried the gene with the risk of ovarian cancer and I'll be having my breast rebuilt soon.”

Niamh said she’s still taking hormone tablets and will be doing so for seven years.

But she insists she is so lucky to have had such wonderful support from her family and friends throughout her journey. 

“I would never have got through it without them and the staff at Belfast City Hospital,” she said.

The Castlewellan mum has shared her story ahead of Breast Cancer Awareness Month this October and as part of Cancer Focus NI’s Go Pink for breast cancer awareness campaign.

The local cancer charity has just opened applications for an upcoming breast cancer wellness retreat, taking place in Dunfanaghy in Co. Donegal between November 17 and 19.

Part of Cancer Focus NI’s Thrive Support Group, a service designed specifically for women under 50 who have had a breast cancer diagnosis, this free retreat will cater for 20 participants.

Over two days, individuals will have an opportunity to step away from the pressures of family and work life and come together to relax and recharge.

Niamh attended the wellness retreat earlier this year and explained that since connecting with Cancer Focus NI, I she has been able to talk to people anytime she needed with no judgment. 

“The retreat away with the charity’s Thrive Group in Donegal was up there with one of the best weekends of my life,” she said.

“I came away feeling like a new woman and have made friends for life and memories to cherish.”

Cancer Focus NI group work coordinator, Caroline Hart, said younger women who have a breast cancer diagnosis can be impacted by issues that can dramatically affect their current lifestyle and plans for the future.

“These might be issues around balancing childcare when they are going through treatment, working out a new work/life balance, supporting their parents, partner and children through the diagnosis and treatment, as well as issues around fertility and ongoing treatment,” she explained.

“By creating such weekends, our charity is able to provide a safe space for younger women to share their experiences with each other while being supported and encouraged by our trained and experienced staff.”