As we conclude this third season of More Than A Lump podcast, and take a little pause for now, we thought it would be a good idea to look back and reflect on some of the season’s standout moments. Over the past ten episodes, we have had the privilege of talking to a diverse group of guests about their experiences with breast cancer. From the emotional impact of the diagnosis to the practical aspects of treatment and recovery, we've explored it all.

In this episode of Season Three, Aisling speaks with menopause specialist Dr Genevieve Ferraris from The Menopause Hub. The episode explores the range of symptoms that women can experience during menopause, including the impact of breast cancer treatment on the early onset of menopause. Dr Ferraris shares her expertise on menopause education and awareness, including the role of nutrition, exercise, and self-care. The discussion also covers the topic of hormone replacement therapy (HRT), including its potential benefits and risks. Throughout the episode, Aisling shares stories from women who have experienced early menopause and its impact on their lives.

Like so many women, Siobhán Freeney’s life was hectic. Despite juggling a new job and her husband's health, the mother-of-two knew something was not quite right. Her sixth sense prompted her to avidly attend every scheduled mammogram appointment and eventually she was diagnosed with stage 3 lobular breast cancer in 2015.  Following extensive treatment and surgery, Siobhan became interested in patient advocacy and she is now a passionate spokesperson for lobular breast cancer in Ireland and overseas, endeavouring to share the signs of this type of breast cancer with other women and most importantly to push for more research investment into lobular.

Breast cancer has been an unwelcome presence in the life of Anne Nolan, a member of the singing group The Nolan Sisters , who shot to fame in the 1980’s with their hit, “I’m In The Mood For Dancing”. Tragically, Anne’s sister Bernadette, died from breast cancer in 2013 aged 52 and two years ago both Anne and her other sister Linda revealed they were both diagnosed with cancer.  In this episode of More Than A Lump, Aisling talks to Anne from her home in Blackpool about the impact of the disease on her life and ahead of the BCI Race Day in Leopardstown on April 2nd, when Anne will be one of the charity's special guests.

When Paul Gallagher's wife Marie died from breast cancer in 2007, he had to raise their three daughters, Amy, Kate and Sophie on his own. At the time of Marie’s initial diagnosis in 2002, the girls were just 13, 10 and 6. In this episode of More Than A Lump, Paul and his middle daughter Kate join Aisling to talk about their beloved Marie and to reflect on the past twenty years, the low points and the high points, and in particular the birth recently of his first grandchild, Kate’s niece and Amy’s daughter, Ruby Marie.  This is a story of loss and bereavement but it is also a story of resilience, hope and getting on with things for the sake of the people you love. If you think you might find the topic of loss and bereavement too upsetting,  you may wish to skip this episode.

Back in Season 1, Paula McClean joined Aisling to tell her story about being diagnosed with Stage 2 Invasive Breast Cancer at the age of 42. Paula returns to guest-host this episode and to pick up on a topic that was referenced in the earlier episode, that of the psychological and emotional scars that remain when the initial treatment is over. Paula is joined by Mayo native, Lisa Convey and fellow Dubliner, Lynne Buckley, both fellow breast cancer survivors who have travelled a similar road. Lisa first met Paula almost ten years ago at a Breast Cancer Ireland photocall but admits she felt vulnerable at that time. Today, Lisa feels stronger and ready to tell her emotional story. Lynne was diagnosed while she was pregnant with her son Adam in 2020 and she too has a powerful and a very personal story to share. This episode of More Than A Lump is a raw and honest conversation between three amazing women who have shared experiences that those who have not been diagnosed simply cannot imagine. We hope you find it helpful.

Rachel McKenna is living with cancer. In this episode, she takes Aisling through her story, from those early signs during her pregnancy, though to the birth of her beautiful son, Elijah, born in October 2020, which has brought Rachel and her fiancé, Aidan such great joy, and on to the day she was told her cancer was inoperable. Rachel is the face of Breast Cancer Ireland’s recently launched, #MetastaticMatters campaign, which aims to highlight the symptoms of metastatic disease to be aware of, and also to increase understanding of how and why this occurs. This is a positive, uplifting and empowering episode delivered by a beautiful and powerful woman.

Talking about relationships and intimacy after a breast cancer diagnosis can be difficult, especially if you have a decreased libido, if sex is painful or if you’re feeling uncomfortable about changes in your body. In this episode of More Than A Lump, we invited along psychotherapist and psychosocial oncologist, Yvonne O’Meara who works therapeutically with people when illness has entered their lives, to discuss the importance of talking about our feelings. Keeping these feelings from each other can make it difficult for couples to give each other comfort and support. Yvonne, who has a special interest in psychosexual distress, infertility, and anticipatory grief is joined by Breast Cancer Ireland Patient Ambassador and local councellor, Teresa Costello to talk about the impact of a diagnosis on relationships, dating and intimacy. Broadcaster and good friend to the charity, Clare McKenna stepped in for Aisling to host this episode.

Niall Breslin is one of Ireland's most formidable and inspiring mental health advocates and public speakers. He is a bestselling author, podcaster, musician, philanthropist, and a former professional athlete. Niall came into Breast Cancer Ireland’s More Than A Lump podcast studios just before Christmas to share his experience of facing his own health challenge. During his conversation with Aisling Hurley, he shared some mindful practices and breathing techniques to help manage anxiety.

Over the past two seasons of More Than a Lump, Aisling has spoken to a selection of guests about how breast cancer has informed their perspectives on life, love, family, health, goals, and aspirations. As we begin a new season, and indeed a new year, Aisling reflects on some of the moments over these past 20 episodes that stopped her in her tracks. This episode is a compilation of some of those standout moments that reminded us that for so many impacted, breast cancer is more than a lump.

Emma Meir was diagnosed with Stage 3 HER2 negative breast cancer in October 2021 after noticing a lump on her breast just a month earlier. Now a year on, the Mum of two girls feels like things are beginning to return to normal. Emma is joined, in this final episode of Season 2, by Laura Austin, also a Mum of two girls, who was diagnosed with Stage 3 Triple Negative Breast Cancer in 2018. The women are joined by HR specialist, Ian Meagan, HR Manager of Benetel Ltd to discuss the topic of returning to work after breast cancer. While this is a broad and complex area and can be so personal to your treatment plan, your family and support network, your financial situation and can depend on the sector and employer, like so many of our previous More Than A Lump episodes, Aisling aims to unpack some of the issues and share a perspective and the experiences of others who have travelled this path.

Consistent and intensive breast cancer research is vital in changing the landscape of the disease. The Breast Cancer Ireland Dublin Cancer Conference took place in RCSI from 19th – 21st October 2022, where the world’s leading breast cancer researchers gathered for a ground-breaking, three-day conference that Breast Cancer Ireland were proud to sponsor. In this penultimate episode of Season 2, Aisling speaks with the co-chair of the conference, Scientific Director Beaumont RCSI Cancer Centre, Professor Leonie Young. Both women and their teams have worked together for many years and their shared passion for research into breast cancer makes for an inspiring and uplifting discourse on advancements to date, progress coming down the line and offers hope for the future. This episode is well worth listening to.

Ann Eble was 48 years old when she was diagnosed with breast cancer for the first time in 2003. Ann is joined by Carol Mallon who was diagnosed in 2004 and Marion Egan who is living with a metastatic diagnosis. Each of the women have dealt with their diagnosis differently. They talk through their experiences, sharing the various side-effects they have experienced, the challenges associated with their treatment and the ways they have founds to live their very best lives, with their families and their friends.

Rhonda Richardson’s grandmother and her three aunts all had breast cancer and so she had been attending a breast screening clinic since the age of 33 but sadly at the age of 45 Rhonda herself was diagnosed with breast cancer. In this episode of More Than A Lump podcast, Aisling speaks with Rhonda about her diagnosis and treatment and the decisions she her sisters took, following their positive screening for the BRCA2 gene. Aisling is joined by Dr Reem Salman, Consultant Breast Surgeon and a member of the Family Risk Assessment Clinic team at the recently opened Breast Centre on the Beaumont Hospital Campus, Dublin to talk about the very important subject of breast cancer genetics and family history.

Over the past fifteen episodes of More Than A Lump we have covered a range of topics, sharing personal stories and covering many of the various challenges that a breast cancer diagnosis can present for women. In this episode, called Beauty Beyond Breast Cancer, Aisling takes a different approach. Through her conversation with Jennifer Rock, AKA The Skin Nerd, Yinka Martin founder of Hairweavon and Valerie Murphy of Valerie’s Breast Care, three women who provide products, services and expertise to those diagnosed in the area of skin, hair, and bra fitting, we hear how the beauty industry and importantly how feeling beautiful, and like one’s self, during and beyond treatment, is so vital. Aisling chats to Jennifer, Yinka and Valerie about their own interactions with those diagnosed over many years, as well as advancements in the products and services they provide. We hope you find this episode helpful.

Sorcha Lavelle was just 22 years of age when, following a routine visit to her GP, she was diagnosed with an aggressive breast cancer that had spread to her lymph nodes. She admits she wasn’t breast aware and thought the small lump on her left breast – which was about the size of a pea – was almost not worthy of a mention. Fortunately for Sorcha, she did mention the lump and her diagnosis, while shocking, was quick and her outcome more positive than if she has not brought it to her doctor’s attention when she did. In this episode, Sorcha talks to Aisling about what it means to her, to her family and her friends to receive a diagnosis of breast cancer so young and why she believes that the misconception that breast cancer is a disease of older women needs to be spoken about. Sorcha is passionate about telling younger women, in particular, to look out for the signs and symptoms of breast cancer and to know their normal.

Madeleine McCoole first discovered a lump on her right breast in the shower. She didn’t think much of it but when, a few weeks later, she ended up in her GP’s surgery with her son, for another reason, she decided to mention it. Three weeks later, she was diagnosed with a grade three tumour. Like many impacted by a breast cancer diagnosis, the mother of two from Carrigaline, Co Cork, has been inspired to share her story in the hope of raising awareness and helping to ensure others, like her, detect their cancer early. Madeline is joined by Amanda LeQuesne, a counsellor with Purple House, a community-based cancer support centre in Bray, Co Wicklow. Everyone’s breast cancer journey is different but this episode explores some practices and techniques that might help those diagnosed to deal with the initial shock and it offers advice to help work through some of the psychological challenges along the way.

At the age of 36, Denise Ashe was diagnosed with Triple-Negative Breast Cancer. Although an enormous shock, from the start Denise was determined that cancer was not going to hold her back from living her best life. Registration for this year’s Great Pink Run is now open and in this episode Denise chats to Aisling about how exercise and running have played a big role in her recovery. Denise is joined by nutritionist Orla Walsh. Orla kindly provided BCI with a set of nutritional tips to help prepare for the event and in this episode she discusses these and other dietary questions and concerns those diagnosed may have. The Great Pink Run takes place in Dublin's Leopardstown racecourse and surrounding areas on October 9th, with a second event taking place in Kilkenny a week later on October 16th. If you can't make the events in Dublin or Kilkenny, you can take part in a virtual sense between the 9th and 16th. To register go to greatpinkrun.ie

A breast cancer diagnosis effects everyone in the family not just the person diagnosed. In this episode, BCI CEO Aisling Hurley chats with two husbands, Steve Kelly and Jamie Crawford. Steve is married to Tanya and Jamie to Georgie. Both men have travelled with their wives along their breast cancer journeys and their paths to recovery. One in nine women will develop breast cancer in the course of their lifetime yet there is very little information available for partners. This episode of More Than A Lump attempts to spotlight on a partner’s perspective and aims to reveal valuable insights and perspectives which might help loved ones navigate their way through the range of experiences, emotions and challenges – once again demonstrating that breast cancer is more than a lump.

Consultant Radiologist, Dr Deirdre Duke and Outreach Coordinator and breast cancer survivor Olivia Carpenter speak to Aisling about the early stages of diagnosis, in terms of the interactions with the triage and assessment teams. Soon after she completed a ten-kilometre charity run, Olivia’s husband, Gavin, gave her a big hug. As he held her close, he felt a lump in her right breast. He became alarmed and suggested that she get it medically checked. There began a journey for the Mum of three. A journey that brought her into contact with a host of medical professionals and ultimately to us here in Breast Cancer Ireland where she has been an active Ambassador and Outreach Coordinator visiting schools , companies and community groups sharing important messages about understanding good breast health. Dr Duke shares her own reflections on how she prepares to tell women that they have breast cancer, she shares an update on the fantastic new Beaumont Breast Centre which was recently opened by First Lady, Sabina O’Higgins and she explains exactly what this centre will mean for the over 10,000 women who will be seen there annually. This episode is proudly supported by Goodbody.