Are you cancer aware? Joanne McCook from Ballybogey shares her story ahead of World Cancer Day
Everyone should be cancer aware.
That’s the key message from Ballybogey woman Joanne McCook who was diagnosed with Grade 3 breast cancer in 2022.
Joanne has partnered with the Northern Health and Social Care Trust ahead of World Cancer Day on Wednesday 4 February to encourage everyone to recognise the importance of screening and become more cancer-aware.
Having found a lump on her breast, Joanne contacted her GP straight away and was referred for urgent follow-up. Until that point, she had no symptoms and had a clear mammogram just six months earlier after turning 50.
“I had no symptoms, I felt well. When I felt the lump, I felt really sick. I contacted the doctor and within an hour and a half I went down to get the lump investigated,” she said.
After her diagnosis, Joanne underwent chemotherapy and a lumpectomy and has since had four further mammograms to monitor her condition.
Self-examination has become a large part of Joanne’s weekly routine and something that she highly recommends.
“I would examine my breast two or three times a week and I do think that looking in the mirror, examining yourself and being aware of your own body, is very important. If you notice anything different get in touch with your doctor,” she advised.
Joanne’s advice is echoed by Yvonne McGraw, a Breast Cancer Clinical Nurse Specialist based in Antrim Area Hospital.
Yvonne said: “Two of the best things you can do to detect cancer early is firstly be aware and take action if you notice any symptoms, and secondly, to attend screening when you are called.
“If you receive a screening invitation it is vital that you attend, even if you have no symptoms. If cancer is found early, treatment is more likely to be successful. Early detection saves lives.”
The Northern Trust has two breast screening units which rotate throughout the Trust area, currently based at Mid Ulster Hospital in Magherafelt and Whiteabbey Hospital. Women aged 50-70 years, registered as a female with a GP in the Northern Trust area, will be sent an invitation to attend. You should receive your first appointment before your 53rd birthday.
Women aged over 70 years are not automatically invited for screening, but are encouraged to continue attending every three years by phoning their local screening unit and requesting an appointment.
Northern Ireland also has screening programmes in place for bowel and cervical cancer.
The Northern Ireland Bowel Cancer Screening Programme offers screening every two years to all individuals aged 60 to 74 who are registered with a GP. People in this age group will automatically be sent an invitation and a screening kit in the post so they can do the test at home, which involves collecting a stool sample.
Cervical cancer screening is offered to all eligible women aged 25-49 every three years, and to women aged 50-64 every five years. Screening is intended for women who do not have symptoms.
To find out more about the potential signs and symptoms of cancer, go to https://www.macmillan.org.uk/cancer-information-and-support/worried-about-cancer/signs-and-symptoms-of-cancer where you’ll find a host of information.
If you have any concerns about symptoms or changes in your body, contact your GP as soon as possible for advice, reassurance and referral if required.
3rd February 2026
