Sat. Feb 8th, 2025

Limerick breast cancer survivor calls on public to support Big Pink Breakfast  

picture by Anna Tarazevich
Limerick breast cancer survivor is encouraging the public to host their own Big Pink Breakfast to mark the Irish Cancer Society’s Breast Cancer Awareness month. 

October is breast cancer awareness month. During the month, the Irish Cancer Society is encouraging people to host a Big Pink Breakfast in their homes, workplaces, communities and colleges. Whether it’s a bake sale or a coffee morning in the office, the Big Pink breakfast campaign provides those who take part with a box of pink ribbons to sell while hosting the event.

The campaign will raise funds for breast cancer support services such as free counselling, transport to treatment, night nursing and life-changing breast cancer research projects.  

Catherine Kiely (53) was diagnosed with triple-negative breast cancer in 2020, and underwent a lumpectomy, eight sessions of chemotherapy and 23 sessions of radiotherapy. Catherine strongly urges people to get behind the campaign “If you are at all able, please support this important cause”.

Speaking with the Irish Cancer Society, Catherine reflects on when she first got her diagnosis “My world turned upside down. I just burst into tears and I was hysterical,” she recalls.

Kiely encourages people not to ignore any signs of breast cancer and to get any persistent symptoms checked out as soon as possible. “Only get your advice from trusted sources and I’d have to recommend the Irish Cancer Society’s website and their support line,” she says.

The Irish Cancer Society says that nine out of ten breast changes won’t turn out to be breast cancer, but it’s important to go to your GP if you have any symptoms and get them checked out.

Breast cancer signs to look for

Signs of breast cancer may include a lump or thickening in the breast or armpit, changes in the breast’s size or shape, such as one breast becoming larger than the other, and alterations in the skin’s appearance, like puckering or dimpling. A breast abscess or boil might also occur, presenting as a red, tender area on the breast. 

Additional symptoms involve changes in the nipple, such as it becoming inverted, sunken, or flattened, unusual discharge from one or both nipples and a rash or flaky, crusty skin around the nipple. Swelling in the armpit or near the collarbone may also be present. 

To learn more or get involved with the Big Pink Breakfast campaign click here >>

For more information on the signs and symptoms of breast cancer, visit: https://www.cancer.ie/cancer-information-and-support/cancer-types/breast-cancer.
If you are concerned about breast cancer, you can call the Irish Cancer Society’s Support Line on Freephone 1800 200 700.  
You can also find out more at www.cancer.ie