Behind every breast cancer diagnosis is a person, a family and a story. Our Patient Ambassadors share their experiences to help others feel supported and less alone, raise awareness, encourage early detection, and remind everyone affected that a community stands with them.
Niamh Noonan
- Diagnosed At 30
- Triple Positive
Dara McDonough
- Diagnosed At 59
- Invasive Ductal Carcinoma
Laura Hughes
- Diagnosed At 40
- DCIS / Triple Negative
Demmy Abedayo
- Diagnosed At 42
- HER2+
Juliette O’Connell
- Diagnosed At 41
- HER2+
Vanessa Pontes
- Diagnosed At 34
- Stage 4 Incurable
Our Patient Ambassadors share their experiences of diagnosis, treatment, recovery and life beyond breast cancer. These are their stories, told in their own words.
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Laura Hughes
I have a big family history of breast cancer so I’ve always been very aware and check myself – probably too often.
- Type of cancer
- DCIS
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Arlene Hennessy
Then one morning in March I woke up and had a tiny speck of blood on my nightdress.
- Type of cancer
- Breast cancer which had also spread to my lymph nodes
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Demmy Abedayo
In June 2020, Demmy found a lump on her right breast and made an appointment with her GP to get it checked.
- Type of cancer
- Breast cancer
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Paula Guckian
In 2022, I found a lump in my armpit. I was busy with life and had no pain so I convinced myself that I was ok.
- Type of cancer
- Invasive Ductal Carcinoma
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Dara McDonough
Dara McDonough, 59, found a lump on his chest while taking a shower back in March this year.
- Hometown
- Meath
- Type of cancer
- Breast cancer
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Avril Tierney
I was referred for a triple assessment in St Vincent’s hospital as an urgent referral due to the size of the lump.
- Type of cancer
- Triple Negative Breast Cancer · Metastatic Breast Cancer
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Ailish Hamill
I felt a lumpy area in my left breast and as it wasn’t clearing up, I went to my GP who referred me for further tests.
- Type of cancer
- Her2 positive breast cancer · Stage 4 secondary cancer in my liver
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Vanessa Pontes
In February 2024, whilst in the shower, I found a soft, moveable, round lump in my left breast.
- Type of cancer
- Invasive Ductal Carcinoma, ER-, PR-, HER2+ · Stage 4 Metastatic Disease
Breast Cancer Know More is Ireland’s first survivor-led breast cancer awareness campaign. Six survivors use their voices — and their stories — to help everyone know the signs. Because knowledge is power.
