"Trust your gut and never be afraid to stand up for yourself."
That's the advice of one Monaghan woman who has encouraged people young and old to check themselves as part of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
This October, the Irish Cancer Society are encouraging you to ‘Care For Your Pair’, by being breast aware. Being breast aware means knowing what is normal for you, so that if any unusual change occurs in or around your breasts, you will recognise it.
At the start of 2020, Bernie Sherry from Scotstown noticed she wasn't feeling herself and was experiencing extreme fatigue.
After putting her symptoms down to menopause, Bernie finally got herself checked and as a result was diagnosed with breast cancer.
Speaking on the Joe Finnegan Show, Bernie believes it's very important to promote detection and to understand the signs and symptoms of breast cancer.
The Monaghan woman also advised people to not be "afraid" of trusting your gut and getting checked if you think there could be a problem, adding that medical outcomes are not always Cancer.
"The hardest part is knowing knowing, and regardless of the diagnosis, there comes a certain piece of mind of mind by knowing," said Bernie.
She continued; "In May 2021, I didn't feel right and felt my progress was going backwards so I persisted with the doctors and told them that I wanted a scan. The doctor was hesitant to do so, but eventually agreed."
When the results of the scan returned, Bernie learnt that unfortunately the cancer had come back and spread to her bone.
Speaking to Northern Sound, the Monaghan woman said, "It's incredibly difficult to hear that news, especially for your family. You can feel the impact it has on the people around you.
"When I was growing up, there wasn’t the same emphasis on minding yourself. So I would say to trust your gut, if you have to stand up for yourself, do it.
"You know your own body best - If you’re not happy with what you’re being told by doctors and feel there is more going on – always go for a second opinion."
