‘I knew the way they were talking it was cancer’

A 28-YEAR-OLD woman who was diagnosed with breast cancer is sharing her story to raise awareness and to encourage young women to check themselves regularly, reports Aimee Walsh.

Shauna Comiskey from Woodford, Clondalkin, was diagnosed with stage 2 breast cancer in July this year after finding a lump while checking herself.

“My mam was diagnosed with breast cancer two years ago and because of that I always checked myself and in January this year I found a lump.

“I went to the doctor straight away and she said it wasn’t concerning but because of my mam she was going to refer me.

“I got my appointment for April, and they checked me and the doctor said, ‘it seems fine to me and because you are young it could be anything’, but again because of breast cancer in my family I was referred to get an ultrasound,” Shauna told The Echo.

Due to the cyberattack on the HSE, Shauna’s appointment for an ultrasound was pushed back and she began to have pain in her breast while waiting for the appointment date.

“I had another feel one day and found a larger lump, so I rang my doctor, and she still didn’t think it was anything she said it was probably just breast tissue but because it was a new lump she tried to get me an urgent ultrasound.

“I went in and I knew straight away when the nurse did the ultrasound she called in the consultant and three or four other nurses came in and there was five people in the room with me. I knew by the way they were talking that it was cancer.”

On July 10, Shauna was told that she had breast cancer and she would need a mastectomy to remove the breast straight away followed by chemotherapy and radiation treatment to prevent recurrence of the cancer.

“I think the minute I started getting pains in my breast I knew and had a bad feeling. I researched everything and checking if something did happen what would I have to go through, so I had myself prepared,” said Shauna.

Because of the history of breast cancer in Shauna’s family, she underwent tests to find out if she had the BRCA gene, which significantly increases the risk of getting breast cancer and ovarian cancer. Shauna came back BRCA-2 positive and will undergo a mastectomy on her right breast to lower the risk.

“I think because we have been through it with my mam I knew everything that was going to happen, so I have been weirdly fine about it all,” Shauna told The Echo.

Shauna has been sharing her journey so far on Instagram in hopes to encourage young women to regularly check themselves and if they find a lump to go to a doctor straight away.

“I said that if it would help even one person by me sharing my story then it is worth it. All my friends were saying that they never check themselves, so I said I need to post something.

“People message me all of the time saying that they found a lump and they are going right away to get it checked – it definitely did help a lot of people and that’s all I want. I just want women to check themselves – it is so important no matter what age you are if you feel something or feel a change go get it checked because the quicker the better.”

In true Clondalkin spirit, the community have rallied around Shauna to show their support. On Monday, August 16 a fundraising match between Clondalkin Celtic Football Club and Knockmitten Utd took place to help raise funds for breast cancer awareness after hearing about Shauna’s story.

Speaking about the communities support, Shauna said it has been “unbelievable”.

“It doesn’t stop – people have offered me everything from shops and gyms and Kenneth Egan has boxing gloves that are signed by all the Olympians that he is raffling off.

“The community has been fantastic, people I haven’t spoke to since I was a child are reaching out – it has been incredible.”

The GoFundMe page to raise money for breast cancer awareness has raised over €9,600 so far and is still accepting donations. If you would like to donate, please go to ‘Sho’s Journey’ on GoFundMe.com