Corkman: Cancer at 33, I’m ten years in remission...

CORMAC Dineen encourages people to support Daffodil Day in whatever way they can, but he also urges people to act as quickly as possible when they see a change in their bodies.

“If you notice something is wrong, or feels different, act on it,” he says.

“There will be a period before you want to get seen. That’s normal. I would just advise people to keep that period as short as possible.”

Cormac Dineen, a member of the Gardaí for 22 years, and living in Clonakilty, knows how important early detection and diagnosis can be.

I’m ten years in remission this week. I was diagnosed with testicular cancer in 2013.

“I had noticed a change. I monitored it for about a month and went to see my doctor. I’m glad I did.”

Cormac worries that men can struggle to talk about their health, and this might put them off. He also worries about young men in the context of testicular cancer.

“I imagine if you are 18 years of age, you might be reluctant to talk about any changes. I was 33 so I was a bit older, but this kind of cancer often affects younger men. You can be offered a prosthetic after surgery. At my age, I wasn’t bothered. But again, I can imagine how that might be harder for a younger man.”

Cormac, who appears very fit and healthy in person, was back to work after three months, once all his tests came back clear.

“Catching cancer as early as possible is so important. The doctor sent me to a urologist straight away, who sent me for an ultrasound. It was very quick. I had surgery three days later.”

SUPPORT

“What was important to me during that time was the support of my friends and family. I really leaned on them, and they were there for me. I worry that some people won’t talk about it and won’t look for help. 

It’s hard enough doing it with support; it must be awful to go it alone.

My immediate family were wonderful. My mother, who is known as Nan, was incredible, as were my siblings Mona, Bernice, and Niall. They really rallied around me.

Friends also proved vital.

“I have two circles of friends, one in Clonakilty, and one in Cork City. It is so important to reach out and to accept help. It might be natural for some people to hide their feelings, but you must lean on the people who are there.”

Everything went well for a while. The young guard was checked every three months and continued to get positive results. However, almost a year to the day later, he received more bad news.

“During a routine scan it was picked up that one of my lymph nodes was enlarged. They couldn’t explain it, so I had to assume the worst. I started chemotherapy days later. In a way this was tougher news to get than the first diagnosis. They decided to go in quick and hard to get the best results.”

Thankfully, it all improved for Cormac. He spent a week in the Bons, and then two weeks at home, repeating the cycle four times.

“Dr Conleth Murphy, my oncologist, was just superb, as was the entire staff there; the nurses were wonderful. 

I was cared for like a superstar. The way they speak to you, the overall vibe – it was wonderful. 

TOUGH GOING

That’s not to say it was easy, he says.

“There would be two or three of us in the room at a time. My hair went quickly, and I had desperate fatigue. Nowadays, the anti-sickness medication is pretty good, so I didn’t feel that nauseous, but it was tough going. The medication you take impacts your digestion and the steroids affect your weight.”

This time round, it took Cormac five months to recover. He was happy to return to work and get back to normal, as he puts it.

Beginning to feel better again was just the most fantastic feeling. 

It is so important for people to have an avenue, away from their work life, something that is totally different. It’s so important to get involved and get busy.”

SPORTING LIFE

Cormac had always been a keen GAA player and was playing senior football with Douglas when he was first diagnosed.

“It was hard to break the news that I was going. And then, when I returned, I had to stop again with my second diagnosis. I was 34 years old, so my playing career was ending anyway, but it was really important to make it back.

“I had to prove it to myself, that I could still do what I had done before being sick. I think that’s really important. You must have something to aim for on the other side.”

It wasn’t about winning games for the Cork player.

“It was about being there again with my team. I played until I was 36 and went refereeing after that, which was my way of staying involved again.”

Cormac is now on the Munster GAA refereeing panel.

“There was one game I remember particularly well. Every player had to say what they were going to achieve at the match. I was a substitute player and all I said was that I was ready to come on and make amends as I hadn’t been there for the team. 

They all started clapping. I didn’t realise they were going to do that.

STAYING POSITIVE

I ask Cormac if he thought of cancer as something he needed to fight, which is how it’s often portrayed in campaigns.

“No, I don’t think I did,” he responds thoughtfully.

“You must focus on yourself more than what you’re fighting. Positivity went a long way towards saving me. I’m not giving myself a slap on the back or anything, but it really helped. Whatever news I got, I dealt with it, until I got the next bit of good news.”

The approach seems to have worked.

“Over two and a half years, I got bad news twice; I got good news loads of times. I felt relief so often. 

You take it one step at a time, until you get the next bit of good news. 

"I get tested every year now. Sometimes I bring my mum; sometimes I go alone.”

When asked if the experience has changed him, he hesitates.

“I don’t know. No, it hasn’t changed me. I am different in that if I have a small pain, I will go to the doctor a lot easier. It’s not a big deal. Other than that, because I am the way I am, I don’t think I’ve changed. I used to think about it more. Now I only think about it coming up to a check-up. I don’t see myself as having been given a second chance.”

NEW LIFE

If he doesn’t feel his personality has changed, or his general approach to life, his circumstances certainly have.

“I had a baby girl three years ago. I didn’t know if I was going to be able to have children, and my doctor said trying was the best way to find out. Having my daughter was a real milestone. Her name is Neela, after my sister Rosaleen who passed away.

Cancer does everything. It is good, bad, funny, shitty, emotional, and physical. It is an absolute rollercoaster in your head. 

"The emotional and mental part is as hard as the physical part. Cancer can be sad because there is a lot of death, but with medical advancements in recent years, there is also a great deal of hope.”

DAFFODIL DAY

Daffodil Day, organised by the Irish Cancer Society, takes place on March 22.

Thanks to the amazing generosity of the Irish public, the Irish Cancer Society invests in ground-breaking cancer research and delivers crucial free support services for people affected by cancer, throughout Cork. In 2023, your generous support provided:

• Over 2,270 free lifts to bring Cork-based cancer patients to their treatment;
• Over 1,100 free counselling sessions to people living in Cork; and
• Almost 640 nights of free Night Nursing care to allow cancer patients in Cork to die at home surrounded by loved ones.

Irish Cancer Society CEO Averil Power said: “Unfortunately, 1 in 2 of us will get cancer at some point in our lives. There isn’t a family in Ireland that hasn’t been touched by the disease.

“When Daffodil Day first began in 1986, just 3/10 Irish people survived a cancer diagnosis. Today, thanks to investment in innovative cancer research, that has doubled to 6/10 people in Ireland surviving cancer.

And we at the Irish Cancer Society won’t stop until 10/10 people survive a cancer diagnosis. But we cannot do that without your support on Daffodil Day.

“The more we raise on Daffodil Day, the more we can do, and the more lifesaving research we can fund. We only receive 5% of our income from the government, so we’re urging everyone in Cork to Go All In this Daffodil Day, March 22, to help us achieve a future where nobody dies from cancer in Ireland, and everyone affected by the disease has the support they need when they need it most.”

Ways to support Daffodil Day

Donate at www.Cancer.ie/Donate or over the phone on 0818 10 20 30

Sell Daffodil pins in your local community

Donate through Facebook, Instagram or JustGiving

Register for the steps challenge at: www.cancer.ie/ways-to-help/fundraise/daffodilday/get-involved-this-daffodil-day/take-part-in-our-steps-challenge-this-march

Purchase Daffodil Day items on the ICS online shop

Revolut users can donate to the Irish Cancer Society through the ‘Donations Tab’ on the Revolut app

By texting DAFF (€4) to 50300

By getting your primary school, secondary school or company involved

For more information about Daffodil Day visit https://www.cancer.ie/daffodilday.

SUPPORTS

Anyone with concerns or questions about cancer can contact the Irish Cancer Society Support Line on Freephone 1800 200 700 and SupportLine@IrishCancer.ie