A Northern Ireland woman has opened up about her cancer diagnosis when she was just 27-years-old.
Kara Sloane from Fintona, is urging people to support a new campaign that shines a light on the invaluable impact that cancer breakthroughs have on the lives of people like her.
Thinking back to the moment she first felt a lump in her breast, Kara says she found it while taking a shower.
Read more: NI teen passes GCSEs after life-changing brain surgery in exam year
She said: "We had just arrived home from a holiday in New York and having put the children to bed, I headed for a relaxing shower. I found what felt like a hardness in my breast and a lump but convinced myself that I was imagining it.
"However it was in my mind over the weekend and I did recall another local girl sharing her breast cancer diagnosis on social media. That prompted me to call my GP on the Monday morning."
Kara received an appointment for the following day and her GP did not seem unduly worried. However as the lump was over 2cm in size he referred her to the breast clinic.
"An appointment for March 4 arrived and I was nearly going to go alone," she added.
"However the day before I asked my husband to take me and I am so glad that I did. When I arrived I was told I would not be having a mammogram because of my age but an ultra sound instead. However the ultrasound led to a mammogram and biopsies. This is when I suddenly knew something was seriously wrong. I was devastated when the consultant said: ‘I did not think I would be giving you this news today'."
Kara had a 10 day wait for doctors to ascertain the type and stage of her cancer which was stage two triple positive breast cancer. Six cycles of chemotherapy began in April followed by surgery in August then radiotherapy in October. She also had Herceptin, a drug which Cancer Research UK scientists helped develop that stops cancerous cells growing and dividing.
Cancer Research UK scientists laid the groundwork for the drug by helping to show that some types of breast cancer have certain proteins on the surface of cancer cells that fuel their growth. The charity led clinical trials to show Herceptin improves survival. And now this is the gold standard of care for this type of breast cancer, helping more women like Kara survive. Kara was also told the type of breast cancer she had could potentially be controlled by a targeted treatment called Anastrozole.
Kara said: “I wouldn’t be here without the scientists who strive to find new ways to outsmart cancer and the incredible fundraisers who make it all possible. So, now I’m determined to do what I can to show my support. I hope I can inspire people across Northern Ireland to do the same. They could help bring hope and joy to more families like mine.
"My family and friends have been amazing throughout this journey and I could not have coped without them. I especially want to thank my husband Davie who has been my absolute rock."
Kara's call for people to support the new Cancer Research UK campaign comes as data released by the charity reveals "around 75,500 deaths from cancer have been avoided in Northern Ireland since the mid-1970s, due to advances in cancer prevention, diagnosis and treatment".
"Over the last five decades, cancer mortality rates have fallen by 23% in Northern Ireland after peaking for women in 1974 and men in 1978," a Cancer Research Uk spokesperson said.
Kara, who has two children, believes she is living proof of the power of research is being treated with a drug that Cancer Research UK helped to develop. Now she is backing the charity’s ‘Together We Are Beating Cancer’ campaign to help ensure life-saving progress like this continues.
The awareness and fundraising drive, that includes posters displayed across Northern Ireland, highlights the heartwarming moments - from big birthdays and anniversary celebrations, to quality time with loved ones – being made possible for people affected by cancer, right now.
Now aged 28, Kara and her husband Davie, 31, are preparing for the new school year, including taking their son Daniel, six, to school and their two-year-old daughter Sarah to playschool for the first time.
Kara said: "The number of lives that have been saved in Northern Ireland shows the immense power of research.
"I know this better than most. Research in to better treatments has given me the greatest gift- more time with my loved ones. I am looking forward to seeing my youngest child who will be three in October start playschool and recently we marked another wedding anniversary- all moments that were impossible to imagine when I heard the devastating words: ‘It’s cancer.’"
Cancer Research UK spokesperson for Northern Ireland, Jean Walsh, said: “Thanks to the generosity and commitment of our supporters, together, we are beating cancer.
"Our research breakthroughs mean every day, people are being diagnosed earlier, have access to kinder and more effective treatments, and some cancers are prevented completely. As our new campaign shows, this all adds up to more moments with the people we love – and we’re grateful to Kara for sharing her own experience.
"But around 10,100 people are still diagnosed with cancer every year in Northern Ireland. We’re working towards a world where everyone can live longer, better lives free from the fear of cancer and that’s why we’re calling on people to help us go further and faster in the fight against the disease.
"By donating, fundraising, taking part in our Shine Night Walk, or volunteering at our shops, they could fund new discoveries that will help more people reach the life-changing moment when their doctor says: ‘It’s gone'."
As part of the campaign people are also being invited to share their personal moments, either of their own cancer journey or that of a loved one, through a dedicated photo-wall and on social media by using #MoreMoments.
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