AT the Titanic Slipways on Sunday, around a 1,000 people turned out for the Pink Run which raises money and awareness for breast cancer.
The party atmosphere of pink dust cannons and music is a release for both cancer patients and their families who have endured the “mental torture” of a diagnosis and completing treatment.
For a series on cancer care in the Irish News this week, several families and experts – from academics to specialist bra-fitters - have spoken to the Irish News about the pressures facing the health service and the community networks helping to ease the burden.
Among those taking part in Sunday’s run with her family was Caroline Kearney (45) from Ballynahinch.
She was first diagnosed with breast cancer in June 2022 and has since been through surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy.
Another key part of her recovery has been weekends away with other patients in Dunfanaghy, coordinated by Caroline Hart – Cancer Focus NI’s group work coordinator.
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“I’ve raised nearly £1,200 for today with friends and family,” Ms Kearney said.
“I just wanted to give back after that weekend away last October, it was everything from yoga to healthy food and chatting to other women and girls under 50 who have had the same diagnosis, the same fears and worries, that I had.
“Just communicating with someone that was on the same level was amazing.”
Taking place six months after the end of her active treatment, she said: “Emotionally, when the treatment finishes, that’s probably the hardest moment.
“When you’re in treatment it’s go, go, go and you have something to focus on. When it stops, you’re lost and you don’t know where you’re going.”
Setting up a WhatsApp group with the other women, she said members can reach out for support when the feel overwhelmed.
“October’s always a hard month for people going through a breast cancer diagnosis, as (with breast cancer awareness month) it’s all pink and fluffy and it’s everywhere,” she said.
“Which is amazing because we need the awareness, but it’s hard emotionally. When you do come to something like the Pink Run you can see that there’s life after cancer to be lived, and as long as we’re here breathing we have to do that.”
Ms Hart said that for women diagnosed under 50, there can be a double impact as they are often “the linchpin of their family.”
“They’re looking after kids, they’re working, they maybe have parents they’re responsible for,” she said.
“They do everything for everybody which is hard enough without a cancer diagnosis.
“So our weekends are about giving them the sense that somebody else is looking after them.
“It’s also about creating a network of support. People can share things like ‘I’m on this drug, I have this side-effect.’”
She adds: “You come away revitalised and refreshed, then you can go back to deal with family life, children, parents and friends.
“You just feel like you’ve had a restart and are ready to go. For any woman that’s important, even without a diagnosis.”
