October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and we are sharing remarkable stories from courageous survivors who got the diagnosis we all fear and fought to live, to spread hope, to raise awareness and to help women
When Vivienne Onyeme found a tiny lump, she was told, at 38, she was too young for breast cancer
Every year in Ireland, more than 3,700 women are diagnosed with breast cancer. One in 7 women, and one in 738 men, will develop the disease in their lifetime. More people are surviving breast cancer than ever before, but still 730 lives are lost to the disease each year – with metastatic breast cancer still one of the greatest challenges for research and treatment.
Early detection remains the single most effective way to save lives and that means knowing the signs and checking yourself for unusual changes.
Key warning signs to watch for:Lumps or thickening: A new lump or bumpy area in the breast, upper chest, or armpit.Size or shape changes: One breast suddenly becoming larger or lower than the other.Skin changes: Dimpling (like an orange peel), puckering, or redness on the breast skin.Nipple changes: A nipple that becomes pulled-in (inverted), sunken, flattened, or changes direction.Discharge or bleeding: Unusual liquid or blood-stained discharge coming from one or both nipples.Rashes or crusting: Flaky, crusted skin, or a red scaly rash on or around the nipple.Swelling: Unexplained swelling or lumps in the armpit or around the collarbone
When Vivienne Onyeme found a tiny lump, she was told, at 38, she was too young for breast cancer. After insisting on a referral, which was then cancelled due to staff shortages, The Dublin mother-of-one took matters into her own hands to demand her concerns be taken seriously.
Vivenne was later diagnosed with Triple Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC), one of the most aggressive forms of breast cancer.
“My breast cancer journey began long before my diagnosis, although at the time I didn’t realise the signs my body was giving me. I started sweating profusely all the time and went to my GP requesting blood tests, but everything came back clear. The sweating continued, so I returned again thinking it could be early menopause symptoms, yet the tests still showed nothing concerning.
Then in early 2024, I suddenly developed a really bad cough. I was given two rounds of steroids, but the cough still didn’t go away. Not long after, while in the shower, I felt a tiny lump in my breast. I immediately booked an appointment with my GP. I was told with “100% certainty” that there was no lump and that I was “too young” for breast cancer.
But deep down I knew something wasn’t right and I insisted on a referral to the breast clinic. My GP reluctantly referred me to the Mater Breast Clinic. After waiting two and a half weeks, during which the lump had noticeably grown bigger, I received a letter saying they could not offer me an appointment due to staff shortages and backlog, with no indication of when I might be seen.
At that point, I was extremely worried, but I remembered I had health insurance through work. I sent my referral letter to both St James’s Private and Beacon Private because I just wanted answers. After hearing nothing for over a week, and now noticing a dimple forming under my breast, I called St James’s directly to explain how worried I was.
Thankfully, someone listened. Within an hour I received a call-back and was offered an appointment the following week for a mammogram and ultrasound. I had to pay for the scans myself, but at that stage I didn’t care — I just needed to know what was happening.
Vivienne is an Ambassador for the 4TH ARQ x Breast Cancer Ireland 2026 Collaboration marking Breast Cancer Awareness Month
On my way home from the ultrasound appointment, I received a phone call asking me to return the following week for a biopsy. That biopsy changed my life forever. I was diagnosed with Triple Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC), one of the most aggressive forms of breast cancer.
I still remember sitting there in shock as the surgeon told me I would most likely lose my breast. I was devastated. Wanting to understand more about my diagnosis, I immediately requested genetic testing. Thankfully, the results showed that I did not carry the BRCA1 gene mutation, but despite that relief, the journey ahead still felt terrifying.
I started treatment in July 2024. The chemotherapy side effects were extremely difficult and eventually became so severe that I had to leave my job. In October, I developed complications which meant I could no longer continue chemotherapy safely, so my surgery was brought forward to November.
After surgery, I was told that my December scan looked clear and that they believed they had removed everything. For a moment, I finally felt hopeful again and believed the worst might be behind me.
However, while waiting for my radiotherapy treatment plan, I noticed my scar becoming very itchy. I mentioned it to my oncologist, who thankfully listened and arranged an ultrasound. That scan revealed that the cancer had already returned within just two months.
Hearing the word “recurrence” so soon after surgery was heartbreaking. In February 2025, I started treatment with Trodelvy. Thankfully, I have responded very well to it. My latest PET scan in June 2026 was clear, which has been an incredible blessing and source of hope for me and my family. My oncologist is now happy for me to stop treatment and have follow ups every three months.
Despite the positive scans, the reality of living with Triple Negative Breast Cancer means there is still uncertainty. Living with that uncertainty is emotionally challenging, but I continue to hold onto faith, hope, and gratitude for every clear scan, every treatment cycle completed, and every new day I am given.
This journey has changed every part of my life, but it has also taught me resilience, strength, and the importance of advocating for yourself. If I had accepted being told I was “too young” for breast cancer, my story could have ended very differently.
I want other women to know that they should trust their instincts, push for answers, and never ignore changes in their bodies. By sharing my story, I hope to raise awareness, encourage early detection, and remind others facing cancer that they are not alone”.
Vivienne is an Ambassador for the 4TH ARQ x Breast Cancer Ireland 2026 Collaboration marking Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The collaboration sees the launch of two limited-edition Maddox Fleece Half-Zips under Rosie Connolly Quinn’s successful 4TH ARQ brand, with all profits from the sale of the new Half-Zips in both Fuchsia and Bubblegum Pink going towards the development of an additional Ultrasound Room at Beaumont Breast Centre Dublin, helping to significantly reduce ultrasound waiting lists. Available to purchase at €40 from 4THARQ.com
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