Offaly breast cancer patient seeks support for Irish Cancer Society’s Pink campaign

Breast cancer patient Roisin Molloy, 28, from Tullamore, is supporting the Irish Cancer Society's Breast Cancer Awareness Month campaign and encouraging the public to host a Pink event to help fund vital breast cancer support services and life-changing breast cancer research projects.

Every year, around 3,600 women and approximately 30 men are diagnosed with breast cancer in Ireland.

Roisin Molloy was living and working in New Zealand in September 2025 when she noticed a sore lump in her right breast.

Explaining how she discovered the lump, Roisin said: “I was scrubbing off some fake tan when I noticed it. It was apple-sized, quite hard and close to the skin. There was some pain around it. I thought it was unusual but left it for four weeks to see if anything changed about it during my menstrual cycle.”

After the four weeks had passed and the lump hadn’t changed, Roisin went to her GP who referred her for further tests. In November 2025, she was diagnosed with HER2 breast cancer.

Speaking of the impact of the diagnosis while being so far away from home, Roisin said: “I felt like I was the loneliest person in the world. I was 20,000kms from home, and I was so scared and in disbelief. I was so healthy, I was eating so well, and I had no family history of cancer. I couldn’t understand why this had happened.”

Three weeks after her diagnosis, Roisin flew back home to Ireland and prepared to start treatment. She had fertility treatment first, before undergoing chemotherapy and a mastectomy. She finished active treatment in late September, when she completed her course of radiotherapy.

Reflecting on her experience of going through treatment for breast cancer, Roisin said: “I felt so vulnerable and like I was the only person in the world going through this and feeling this way, but I know I wasn’t. In June, two weeks after I had the mastectomy, I got the news that everything was clear – now I get to live again after all of this.”

Roisin now checks her breast area on the first of the month, every month, and would encourage others to do the same. She’s also backing in the Irish Cancer Society’s Pink campaign.

Encouraging people to back the Irish Cancer Society’s Pink campaign, Roisin said: “I would encourage everyone to please get behind the Pink campaign. A huge amount of the funding for the Irish Cancer Society’s breast cancer support services and breast cancer research projects comes from donations made by the public.

“If you are at all able, please support this important cause. You can donate or register your fundraising event at cancer.ie/pink”

Roisin is hosting her own Pink fundraiser in the form of a coffee morning on October 11 from 10am to 1pm in the Ballinamere Community Centre, and all are welcome to come along.

Speaking about her own Pink fundraiser, Roisin said: “So many families in our locality have been affected by cancer in the last few years and it has brought us together. The support I’ve got has been huge and I’d like to round off this chapter in a positive way.”

Mary O’Kelly, Cancer Nurse with the Irish Cancer Society, said: “Self-examination is so important for women of all ages, even those who are eligible for screening, as this only takes place every two years. Pick a date and try to do it as consistently as you can on a monthly basis.

“It’s really important that we are breast aware and know what is normal for us. If you notice any of the signs or symptoms of breast cancer and the change persists, please go to see your GP as soon as possible.

"Women can sometimes feel embarrassed or uncomfortable attending their GP with breast issues, but this examination could save your life. Your GP will perform a routine examination of your breast and if appropriate, refer you for further assessment.

"If you are concerned about breast cancer, call the Irish Cancer Society’s Support Line on Freephone 1800 200 700. You can also find out more at www.cancer.ie”

This October, the Irish Cancer Society is encouraging people to host Pink events in their homes, workplaces, communities and colleges to raise funds to support breast cancer support services such as free counselling, transport to treatment, Night Nursing and much more.

Funds raised will also be used to fund ground-breaking breast cancer research projects.

To learn more or get involved, please visit: cancer.ie/pink

Symptoms of breast cancer include:

A lump or thickening in your breast or armpit.

A change in size or shape of one breast like one breast becoming larger than the other.

A change in the skin of your breast, like puckering or dimpling (the skin may look like orange peel).

A breast abscess – (infected boil) this may appear as a red, tender area on your breast.

A change in your nipple, like a pulled-in, sunken or flattened nipple.

An unusual discharge (liquid) from one or both of your nipples. The discharge may be blood stained or watery.

A change on or around the nipple like a rash or flaky or crusted skin.

Swelling in your armpit or around your collarbone.

Breast pain alone is not usually a symptom of breast cancer.

9 out of 10 breast changes won’t turn out to be breast cancer, but it's important to go to your GP if you have any symptoms and get them checked out.