Emer O'Callaghan: Anyone can develop breast cancer..don't neglect yourself

When I first trained and did my beauty apprenticeship in town 25 years ago now, life and Cork city were very different.

Back then, we juniors got lots of tips, it was the boom and everyone was flashing the cash.

I remember one day I was walking up Oliver Plunkett street, heading back to work in my white tunic uniform, and I’d bought my lunch and coffee with all my tips, and a homeless man shouted up to me from a step: “Here, are you a nurse, girl?”

I said sorry, no, but felt bad afterwards that I didn’t ask him was he OK. He was down on his luck and I was not and I needed to be better.

The next day was a Friday and I had about €60 worth of tips in my pocket. I saw the same guy, big smile up on him, and I went over and asked him was he OK and how I was sorry, I should have asked yesterday.

He said he was flying and I gave him money from my tips.

Every Friday from that day on, I gave all my tips that day to any homeless people I saw.

We have no idea how lucky we are in this country to live in such wealth.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and so many women live in countries where there is simply no medical screening for such cancers or treatments, and that is so wrong.

Equality is not universal. So, this week, let’s talk being more breast aware.

During Breast Cancer Awareness Month, we should feel truly blessed to live in such a wealthy country where diagnoses and treatments are common.

In many ways, we have become a nation of moaners and complainers - more, more, more is the name of the greedy game today. We have no idea what hardship other women in other countries endure every day.

When it comes to breast cancer, 41% of women in low income countries are not expected to survive it for five years, compared to 87% in high income countries, where access to early detection, fast diagnosis, and comprehensive treatment is widely available.

Everyone, everywhere should be given the same chance, care, and treatment to survive breast cancer.

DON’T NEGLECT YOU

I think many women can relate to putting themselves low on the list of priorities when there are others that need urgent care and our love.

I don’t know of a family who have not been impacted directly or indirectly by cancer.

So this week, I want to help everyone understand why it is so important we are all breast aware, not just in October but every month.

DID YOU KNOW?

Anyone can develop breast cancer, even men.

There are stages to breast cancer stages 1-4, this is why early detection is key.

Family history can be relevant.

Education is key, we should be teaching girls from a young age about the importance of checking their breasts.

Over the years, I have found several lumps on clients, on their decolletage and under-arm areas, and all had to be removed. It is often a case of what a trained professional knows to look out for - age is not a factor for breast cancer.

I like to highlight this Breast Cancer Awareness Month every year in Emerald Beauty Clinic, and I chat to clients of all ages about being breast aware and checking their breasts monthly.

If you would like to learn how to do this, simply log onto https://www2.hse.ie/conditions/how-to-check-your-breasts and all the relevant information will be there to help you.

FOUR INTERESTING FACTS

1. Breast cancer is a global health challenge, 80% of those diagnosed with it do not have a family history of breast cancer.

2. The left breast is slightly more prone to develop breast cancer than the right, and scientists today still do not know why this is.

3. Breast cancer does not always present as a lump, other symptoms are skin thickness of the breast, swelling of the breast, a warm sensation, redness, itching, changes to the nipples in any way, oozing of nipples, or inverting or constantly erect nipples - these are all other symptoms you need to get checked out for also.

While tenderness of the breast is common during pregnancy and in monthly cycles and menopause, persistent pressure and tenderness should be checked by a doctor always.

4. Even animals can get breast cancer - dogs and cats can get it also, and it can be particularly aggressive in cats.

FEAR KILLS

Every woman of every age will relate to this.

I spent years growing up listening to older women tell their scary stories about pregnancy, labour, smears, mammograms, how awful child birth is, what women have to endure...

We love to exaggerate the negative in this county and I truly believe we have a duty of care to speak positively about female checks like smears, mammograms, and all things female to younger girls.

It’s not right to instill fear for checks they have to get, and that can save lives.

While of course we have all had bad experiences, we must not spread that and exaggerate it as that is what will put other woman off going for their tests.

Please tell me how sharing horror stories is in any way helpful.

These people must realise that their experience is not the same as everyone else’s, and younger women do not need mental scary pictures of what is to come for them on the back of your scary story.

We all have a duty of care to younger women to pass on our love, support, our wisdom or understanding, and educate them to know that these tests save our lives.

They need to know that they are fast and they are necessary.

We must also appreciate that these tests are life-saving and they are vital to do.

Remember also that the nurses and doctors are amazing at what they do in these departments.

I have only ever had excellent care in any female-related checks I have had done, and I think once you express to any nurse that you are nervous, they are fantastic to help and support you.

I have had nurses who stayed with me with one hand on my shoulder, going through very tough medical things in the past, and I will always remember the love, compassion, and empathy in that gesture alone, in solidarity from one women to another.

That is the sisterhood we need to be instilling today into every woman of every age.

If you are worried about any changes to your breast or to a loved one’s, you should contact your GP and the Irish Cancer Society. Their website has all the relevant information up for you to learn more.

I hope this October you too get a bit more breast aware and check your breasts monthly.

To all breast cancer survivors, you are truly incredible.

Emer O’Callaghan is a multi-award winning beauty doctor and winner of Irish Beauty Therapist of the Year and works at Emerald Organic Beauty Products Ltd, trading as Emerald Beauty Cljinic. A Guinot Crown Elite Clinic and Dermalogica Centre of Excellence, 2008-2026, www.emeraldbeautyclinic.ie - follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok.

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