'I’m incredibly grateful I’m 10 years cancer free' - Juliette's journey to lace up for Very Pink Run

My name is Juliette O’Connell. I was 41 years old when I was diagnosed with breast cancer. 

There was no family history in my family, and I was a keen cyclist. 

For me at 41, I wasn’t breast aware. I didn’t know the signs and symptoms of breast cancer apart from a lump. For me, my symptom was a rash across my collarbone and onto my left breast.

In June 2011, I noticed the rash, however, it took me months before I had it checked out. 

When my son got sick in October, I took him to the doctor. As I was paying €50 for an appointment, my mentality was might as well get two seen for the price of one. I showed the doctor the rash and she sent a letter to the breast care unit in Limerick to get it checked out. 

Breast Cancer Ireland Outreach Co-ordinator, Juliette O’Connell and her daughter Ava O’Connell from Limerick, at the launch of Breast Cancer Ireland’s Very Pink Run. Pic: David Keane

She wasn’t concerned, so I wasn’t either. I never thought for one minute that this could be breast cancer. I had no weight loss, no tiredness - I was fit, healthy and well, enjoying my cycling and training for different events. 

I received an appointment for the Breast care unit in December and was put on a waiting list for a mammogram. Whilst waiting for this appointment, my nipple on my left breast started to get sore. I didn’t really tell anyone about this, however as time went on the pain got even worse. I was using Sudocrem to try and stop the pain, but it wasn’t working. I didn’t realise that a sore nipple was a symptom of breast cancer. 

I received the appointment in the post for my mammogram and was subsequently told I had breast cancer on the 9th of March 2012, ten months after I had first noticed the rash. 

I went through treatment; surgery and radiotherapy. It was a tough time, but I’m incredibly grateful that I’m now ten years cancer free. 

I am now a member of the Breast Cancer Ireland family and working as one of their outreach coordinators in the Munster area. I love my job and I want to give this very important message to all. 

Participation in the Very Pink Run event is easy – simply register to take part at www.verypinkrun.ie, gather your ‘pink tribe’ by encouraging your friends and family to do the same, then attend one (or all!) of the 3 live events* in Dublin, Kilkenny or Cork - or alternatively do your individual or group run, walk, scoot, wheel or cycle in your own community during the week of the national event (30th September-8th October 2023) – and be sure to share your photos, and videos across social media using the hashtags #VeryPinkRun, #ReasonToRun or #VeryPinkTribe

Follow ongoing event updates on Instagram @VeryPinkRun and @BreastCancerIre on Twitter using the hashtags #VeryPinkRun #ReasonToRun or #VeryPinkTribe

*10k event in Dublin starts at 12noon, 5k event starts at 12.45pm on 30th September at Leopardstown

*10k event in Kilkenny starts at 12 noon, 5k event starts at 12.45pm 1st October at Kilkenny Castle Park

*10k event in Cork starts at 12 noon, 5k event starts at 12.45pm on 8th October at MTU

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