Sharon wants her cancer story to help others

Sharon wants her cancer story to help others

22 January 2014

A PORTAFERRY mum, who battled breast cancer alongside her mother, has urged local people to book an appointment on board Action Cancer’s Big Bus when it comes to Downpatrick early next month.

The mobile unit will be at the Ballymote Centre on February 1, offering cancer prevention, early detection and support services.

February is dedicated to the promotion of breast cancer awareness and Action Cancer, in partnership with Gordon’s Chemist, last year encouraged 3,200 women to attend for screening, detecting 19 cancers.

Thirty nine year-old Sharon Fitzsimons, who lives with her husband, Tom, and children Cian and Ciara in Portaferry, is passionate about the value of Action Cancer and its early detection and support services, which she found beneficial following her own diagnosis with breast cancer two years ago.

Sharon, who is a school teacher, was diagnosed just one month after her mum was told she had the illness. Her grandmother lost her own battle with cancer at the same time.

Sharon said she found a lump just days after attending an awareness event hosted by Action Cancer at a nursery school attended by her children.

“I went to the breast clinic at the Ulster Hospital and had a mammogram and a biopsy and then I was called into the consultant’s room. Sitting there listening to what he was saying, all I could think about was how I was going to tell mum and dad after everything they had already been through,” she recalled.

“I will never forget the look on my family’s face when I finally broke the news.

“The next challenge I faced was with my two very young children.

“I was going to try and hide it all from them but I soon realised that this, for us, was not the best way to approach it so Tom and I decided to tell them everything.

“It was one of the hardest things I have ever had to do. They asked questions and we answered them honestly and openly.

“Questions popped up throughout the treatment and we never kept anything from them.”

Sharon endured gruelling chemotherapy and tiring radiotherapy before starting what she describes as “life after cancer.”

“I have realised just how precious every minute of every day is and am trying to spend more time with my family and friends and less time worrying about housework and ironing,” she said.

Sharon now urges as many people as possible to attended an Action Cancer screening session such as those available through Downpatrick in the Big Bus in early February.

“It is so easy to get an appointment, you can register online or phone.

“There is really no excuse not to get checked out,” she said.

Sharon believes the more people to talk about cancer the better awareness there will be around the illness.

“Action Cancer was very supportive to me after my diagnosis and the service it offers in terms of screening is amazing,” she said.

“It is two years since I finished my treatment and I am looking forward to celebrating my 40th birthday this summer.

“I know that Action Cancer saves lives.”

Individuals wishing to make an appointment for a service should telephone Action Cancer on 028 9080 3344 or use the dedicated email address bigbus@actioncancer.org