A West Belfast solicitor is urging women to book breast screening after a routine Action Cancer appointment revealed an early-stage tumour, despite her having no symptoms.

Shauna, 46, who lives with her husband Colin and daughters Eimear, 11, and Eadaoin, 7, considered herself the picture of health. A committed runner and swimmer, she trained with the West Belfast Coolers Running Club, took part in amateur dramatics with Commedagh Productions, ate well, didn’t smoke, had never drunk alcohol and had no family history of breast cancer.

"In February 2025, my best friend Tracy and some of the girls from the running club had been for breast screenings at Action Cancer and encouraged me to go," Shauna recalls. "I booked an appointment at Action Cancer House for 20th March. I wasn’t sure what to expect, but it wasn’t sore, just a little uncomfortable.

"The staff were lovely and made me feel completely at ease. It felt very private and welcoming. I was in and out in about 15 minutes and went straight to work afterwards."

A few days later, a letter arrived advising that an area of concern had been identified and further investigation was needed. "I was shocked because I had absolutely no symptoms. I checked myself regularly and couldn’t feel anything. I was fit, healthy, active and felt completely fine. There was nothing to suggest that I had cancer," she said.

After she gave permission for her details to be shared, Belfast City Hospital arranged a follow-up. "I wasn’t expecting what happened next. I had a physical examination and the nurse couldn’t feel anything either. Then I had another mammogram. The consultant said they could see something that was causing concern, but they wouldn’t know exactly what it was until they carried out biopsies.

"At that point, I knew in my heart it was cancer. The consultant told me it was small and looked manageable, but further tests were needed," she said.

The Easter holidays meant a three-week wait for results. She kept life as normal as possible, training and working towards the Berlin Half Marathon, which she completed on 6 April. "I decided there was no point worrying until I knew for certain. The race gave me something else to focus on. Only Colin and a few close friends knew what was happening. I didn’t want to worry anyone else until I understood what I was dealing with."

On 23 April, she returned for the results. "I knew as soon as the consultant walked into the room. She confirmed that they had found cancer. It was early-stage breast cancer, very treatable, but I would need surgery and a lymph node removed for testing.

"I was completely shocked. Hearing the words ‘you have breast cancer’ is something you never expect, especially when you’ve spent your whole life looking after yourself."

The tumour measured just one centimetre. "All I could think was, how can someone so healthy get cancer? Colin was with me that day and thank goodness he was because I completely switched off. He was able to take in all the information that I couldn’t process."

Breaking the news to family, especially their daughters, was the next hurdle. "We thought long and hard about how to tell them. We knew Eimear was old enough to look things up online and both girls would notice changes to our routine. We couldn’t hide it from them. "Colin took them out and explained what was happening in a way they could understand. He told them there was a bad germ in mummy’s boob that the doctors needed to remove. That’s how they explained it to cousins and friends afterwards."

Support from relatives, friends and colleagues was vital. "Everybody was shocked because nobody expected it. People often assume cancer happens to somebody else. My colleagues were brilliant. Some had been through similar experiences themselves and they understood exactly what I was feeling."

Determined not to let others down, she completed a leg of the Belfast Marathon relay in support of her nephew, who lives with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, before surgery was scheduled for 9 May. "It was important to me not to let the team down. Looking back, having those goals helped me stay focused."

Surgery to remove the tumour and one lymph node was successful. "The best news was that the lymph node came back clear. However, after surgery I was told that the tumour had grown by half a centimetre during the three weeks since diagnosis. That really brought home how important early detection is."

Radiotherapy followed in July, with nine sessions over three weeks. "For me, that was when the reality of having cancer truly hit. Up until then I had been attending appointments in the main hospital, but suddenly I was at the Cancer Centre surrounded by other cancer patients."

"That was the moment when it became very real."

Although she drove herself to appointments, the side effects mounted. "I’ve never experienced tiredness like it. My body felt exhausted, my bones felt tired and I struggled to lift my right arm properly. I felt fine during treatment, but at night the fatigue would really hit."

Since the operation, she has been taking Tamoxifen, a hormone therapy she will continue for five years. "The hot flushes, fatigue, aches and disturbed sleep have been difficult. My exercise routine is much more limited now than it was before. My whole lifestyle has changed and I’ve had to adapt to a new normal."

Alongside medical care, Action Cancer provided crucial emotional support. "Everything happened so quickly that I never really stopped and processed what had happened to me. It was traumatic."

Through six counselling sessions, she addressed feelings she had struggled to articulate. "I almost felt guilty because my cancer was caught early and the prognosis was good. I found it difficult to even say the words ‘I had cancer’.

"The counselling helped me understand that no matter what stage you’re diagnosed at, cancer is serious and the emotional impact is real. It also helped me manage the fear that comes with wondering if every ache or pain could mean the cancer has returned."

She also benefited from scar therapy, Bach flower therapy and Action Cancer’s Positive Living Programme. "It was fantastic. I met people who had gone through similar experiences and realised I wasn’t alone. It helped me process everything that had happened."

Keen to support her daughters, she arranged counselling for them too. "I don’t know exactly how much it affected them, but I wanted to make sure they had support available if they needed it."

Now back at work with some days from home, she is rebuilding confidence and fitness and says the experience has reshaped her outlook. "Before cancer, I would say yes to everything. Now I understand the importance of looking after myself and setting boundaries. Your health really is your wealth."

"I've had to grieve for the person I was before cancer, but I know I’ll get back to myself in time."