Co Down woman issues warning to others after beating breast cancer twice

She explained: “The staff were so kind, caring and very supportive. I had 25 sessions of radiotherapy at Musgrave Park Hospital, which was extremely tiring, and then the trauma of six sessions of chemotherapy, which started in August and finished that Christmas.

“Every single member of the NHS who was involved in my care during that time at the Ulster Hospital was exceptional.”

Fast forward 24 years to late 2023, when at age 59, Julie explained how she received the devastating news that her breast cancer had returned following her routine mammogram.

“I had a consultation with Professor Kirk, who booked me in for a mastectomy in January. In the run-up to the surgery, I suffered the debilitating loss of my sister and my husband Ian suffered a heart attack,” she recalls.

After her successful surgery and treatment, Julie, with the support of her husband and local weight loss group, decided she was “going to live the best life possible.”

“I made the decision to get in shape, lose weight and Ian and I got married,” she said.

With the encouragement of her “extended family” in her weight loss group, Julie and her members decided to take part in Cancer Research UK’s recent Race for Life within the grounds of the Stormont Estate.

Julie added: “I completed the 5K which was a huge achievement for me. We raised a lot of money, over £5,000, and I’m so proud and grateful to everyone who supported me throughout my journey.

“I am a breast cancer survivor and I want to thank my coworkers for the much appreciated and unwavering support they have given me.”

She also stressed how important it is for women to attend breast screening appointments: “If you find a lump, get it checked early – never, ever ignore it.

“My message is never, ever give up. I survived and I never thought I would beat cancer twice.”

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