18/07/2026
Antoinette was nearly finished building their dream house with her husband and three kids, when she discovered something...
Following a night of celebration they noticed a lump. Fearing the worst, she went to her GP and was referred the the Breast Cancer Clinic in CUH for assessment. They confirmed her fears, she had breast cancer.
Antoinette received world class treatment, undergoing surgery and 9 months of chemotherapy, under the care of consultants Norma Relihan and Mark Corrigan. Her attitude always one of resilience.
I thought, โI can do nine months. Nine months is a pregnancy, so Iโll count this as I counted my pregnancies, count up to 20 and down to 40.โ
Antoinette discussed how something simple like a cup of tea from a staff member was always a small gesture that meant so much. CUH Breast Cancer Services has world class staff and equipment but it was the small human moments that stood out. In the hard times all we can do is be there for each other.
"Thereโs always something we can do to care for each other, isnโt there?"
Antoinette was diagnosed with the BRCA1 gene mutation. Which is one of the forms of breast cancer that the Cancer Prevention Programme can help to detect. She is now taking measures to prevent further risk to herself and members of her family based on the results of the Cancer Prevention screenings.
If you would like to read more about Antoinette's amazing story and support the services that help the nearly 4000 women in Ireland diagnosed with Breast Cancer every year, see the link below: โAt 37, I Heard the Words No One Wants to Hearโ โ CUH Charity https://share.google/4l5z2CeZKdEya41kT
And subscribe to our DM for more stories like Antoinette's. You can do so here: https://www.cuhcharity.ie/newslettersignup/
Thank you.
