Hillsborough woman speaks out to share her breast cancer journey on charity podcast

This video podcast series will dive into honest and raw conversations with local people and their experiences with cancer. From diagnosis, treatment, life after cancer and everything in between.

The series won’t turn away from the tough topics and will explore the sides of cancer people often don’t see or talk about.

The episodes will focus on the experiences of local women and are hosted by Cool FM radio presenter and longtime Cancer Focus NI ambassador, Rebecca McKinney.

The subject matter hits home for the beloved host as she touches on her own mum’s battle with breast cancer, making her uniquely equipped to walk through these often tough and uplifting conversations.

The guests for the first two episodes of the Focus On podcast are Elspeth Flenley from Hillsborough and Holly McKeown from Newtownabbey, two women who bravely let the audience peak behind the curtain and see what it is really like to be diagnosed with breast cancer discussing everything from how they told their families, navigating family life while being sick from treatment, medical menopause and more.

Rebecca discussed the recordings of the Focus On podcast, saying: “It’s hard to put into words how special it is to sit down with two women who aren’t afraid to share some of the most vulnerable moments of their lives, knowing they might make other women who have been recently diagnosed or had their own experience with breast cancer feel like they are not alone.

"And that is entirely the point of this podcast. Listening to their stories and how I could relate in my own way with my mum’s breast cancer experience made me realise how this is a resource we are missing.”

While discussing their own breast cancer experiences, Elspeth and Holly touch on the support they received from Cancer Focus NI including counselling, support groups, bra and swimwear fitting and breast cancer retreats.

Shelley-Marie McDonald, Director of Therapeutic Services and Clinical Governance speaks to the importance of having these open and honest conversations, and the knock on effect this has.

She noted: “Breast cancer remains one of the most common cancers affecting women, with 1 in 8 women diagnosed with breast cancer in Northern Ireland.

"We can’t thank Holly and Elspeth enough for being our first guests and for talking so candidly about the realities of living with cancer and all the ways it can affect not only your life, but your family and friends’ lives.

"They both touch on really important issues like early menopause, hair loss and body image and these conversations will make other women who might have had a similar experience know they are not alone, and that is such a gift.”

Holly commented: “I really wish there was something like this local podcast available when I was going through treatment.

"Talking openly about my cancer diagnosis and everything that followed has really helped me process it, and if I help even one person feel less alone or ask for support when they are struggling, then it’s worth it.”

The Cancer Focus NI’s Focus On Podcast is now available to watch and listen to on YouTube and Spotify.