Dublin Women Encourage Women to Check After Regular Symptoms Turn Out To Be Breast Cancer

When marathon runner Pamela McLaughlin discovered a breast lump at the age of 37, she quickly dismissed the idea that it could be cancer.

Not only did she think she was too young, but Pamela’s lumps, unlike what she read, appeared shortly before her period began and then disappeared.

“I was convinced that it was hormonal, so I left it for a while,” she told RSVP Live.

“I didn’t expect to get breast cancer because I get this lump every time I start my period and it disappears again when I lose my period. I thought there was nothing.”

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“I was 37 years old and wasn’t very aware of my breasts. Like many people, I thought I would never get cancer.”

However, a few months later, the dental nurse noticed that the lump had not disappeared, unlike the previous month, and made an appointment with her doctor.

Her GP introduced Breast Check to rule out serious problems, but Pamela admits she was convinced that nothing was wrong.

“She told me not to worry, but ironically I didn’t really worry. It was that I was convinced it wasn’t cancer.”

“I was very tired, but I was training for a marathon, so I left everything to it.”

However, in May 2018, Pamela was diagnosed with breast cancer and soon felt that her world was collapsing.

“It was a huge shock because I had just held the New York City Marathon in November 2017. I was stunned, I even told the doctor you were certain, I have cancer I couldn’t, I just ran a marathon! From that day on, my world has changed forever, “she admits.

“In a nutshell, I felt like everything was robbed of me.”

After that, Pamela had to undergo mastectomy, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy. The nurse referred her to the ARC Cancer Support Centers and helped her to tolerate the severely paid cancer she was suffering from. This became her lifeline.

“The different emotions you face on a daily basis are all very overwhelming,” she explains.

“But from day one, ARC staff and volunteers family On my side with me. They supported me both physically and mentally, “she says.

“Every time I visit, I am welcomed by such warmth and kindness. With the support of ARC, I feel that I have gained more than I actually lost in cancer.”

Through the center, she participated in counseling sessions and acupuncture, and even in the last few months, participated in zoom yoga and stress management.

In fact, Pamela admits that she has learned through cancer, and ARC has changed her life forever.

“My diagnosis completely changed my life. I didn’t know how stressful my life was before I got cancer until I was stopped.

“I used to do everything on the go, but now I’ve learned to make more time for myself and my friends and family.”

In fact, Pamela added that cancer changed Pamela’s overall thinking. life Seriously, I stopped worrying so much. I took things for granted, so now everything means something to me. “

“Health is a very valuable asset, but you don’t really appreciate it until it’s at risk.”

“Before I got cancer, I was always waiting for the next holiday, the next big event. I’m enjoying it here now. There’s a new perspective in my life.”

Pamela also encourages women to take breast checks more seriously and not misunderstand that they are too young or too healthy.

“Cancer does not discriminate,” she says.

“My diet was good. I was the healthiest in my life so far, but it didn’t matter.”

“I definitely wasn’t aware of my breasts, so I checked a strange time in the shower, but there was nothing you had to do,” she admits.

“The only reason I went to the doctor was because the lump didn’t go away that month. I wondered if I was stupid.

“I really thought it was nothing, but something in my gut told me to reconfirm.”

“It doesn’t matter if you think it’s nothing. If you find a small one, check it out. Nothing is too stupid to see. At least if it’s nothing, it’s like that. I have a mindset.

“Your health is the most valuable thing you have, so I encourage women to check themselves.”