Breast cancer research is saving lives and must remain a national priority, says Senator

Senator Teresa Costello has said that continued investment in breast cancer research is transforming lives and giving hope to patients and families across Ireland.

 

The Fianna Fáil Senator for Dublin South-West recently hosted a briefing with Breast Cancer Ireland, survivors, and clinicians in Leinster House to mark Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

 

“The stories we will hear today are a powerful reminder that research isn’t something that happens in the background,” she said.

 

“It is helping people live longer, spend more time with their families and look to the future with hope.

 

“As someone who has experienced breast cancer myself, I know how frightening a diagnosis can be.

 

“That’s why we must continue supporting research, improving awareness, and making sure every patient has access to the treatments they need,” she said.

 

Avril Tierney was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2019 and spent the next two years undergoing intensive chemotherapy and invasive surgery.

 

In early 2021, Avril was diagnosed with stage four metastatic breast cancer, which had spread to her lungs and was deemed treatable but no longer curable.

 

Avril’s oncologist informed her that she was eligible for a new treatment which had just emerged.

 

“I underwent a combination of immunotherapy and chemotherapy. I responded well to this, and the tumours halved in size after three months, and they have continued to stay stable since.

 

“I wouldn’t be standing before you today without research,” she said.

 

Niamh Noonan was diagnosed with stage three, triple positive breast cancer the day after her 30^th birthday.

 

After responding well to TCHP chemotherapy that shrank her tumours, she underwent a mastectomy and lymph node clearance followed by 20 sessions of radiotherapy and is now receiving three-weekly Kadcyla chemo-immunotherapy infusions alongside monthly Zoladex injections and daily hormonal therapy.

 

“You’re losing parts of yourself, and you lose your sense of identity,” she said.

 

Dara McDonough found a lump on his chest while taking a shower.

 

Cancer didn’t even cross his mind, but he did start to become concerned about the lump, so he went to see a doctor. After a scan and a mammogram, he was diagnosed with breast cancer.

 

“I sit there thinking ‘But I don’t have breasts!’ It felt surreal. I was in a woman’s world,” he said.

 

Professor Leonie Young leads the Endocrine Oncology Research Group in the Royal college of Surgeons.

 

An internationally recognised leader in breast cancer research, Professor Young has founded clinical trials, driven research innovation and formed a spinout company to advance understanding of breast cancer and improve outcomes for patients.

 

“The progress we have made in breast cancer treatment over recent years is the direct result of research. Patients are living longer and better lives because of discoveries that have moved from the laboratory into the clinic.

 

“Every breakthrough starts with a question. Our goal is to better understand how breast cancer develops and spreads so we can find more effective treatments and give patients the best possible chance of a positive outcome,” she said.