A Co Cavan woman who overcame a cancerous tumour on her throat has shared her story on World Cancer Day to highlight the importance of getting yourself checked.
Today marks World Cancer Day. The Irish Cancer Society is marking the event with a further commitment of over €1 million for the Young Onset Cancer Pilot Programme for this and next year, delivered in partnership with the Trinity St James’s Cancer Institute.
Meanwhile, Breakthrough Cancer Research is also pledging €1 million for research into pancreatic cancer.
In 2017 Anne Taylor from Munterconnaught had surgery to remove a cancerous tumour on her throat.
The local mother initially had a sore throat and every time she went to swallow it felt like there was something stuck in her throat before developing a hoarse voice.
A colleague of Anne's at the time suggested that she should visit her local GP to get her thyroid checked.
Straight away it was suspected from a GP that Anne had a tumour on her thyroid.
As a result of needing surgery, Anne also lost half of her thyroid and there was a strong possibility that she would have no voice afterwards.
Despite this, not only did Anne defy the odds but she has since used her voice to inspire others and spread the message that there's "life after cancer."
Anne is now part of the talented 'Sea of Change' choir which is made up of cancer survivors and people who have been impacted by cancer. The group has helped to raise funds for the charity - Aoibheann's Pink Tie.
Speaking to Northern Sound on World Cancer Day, Anne says nobody knows our own bodies like we know ourselves and it's important to listen to that.
The Munterconnaught woman who described herself as "extremely lucky" has encouraged others to get themselves checked if they are worried about any change in their bodies.
She says there could be a day that you could save your own life, adding that "your health is your wealth."
