A Waterford breast cancer survivor is encouraging people to support the Irish Cancer Society’s Pink campaign during Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Hazel Farrell, 54, who grew up in Waterford City and works as an Academic Lead for AI at SETU Waterford, was diagnosed with breast cancer last year after noticing a change in her right breast.

She was diagnosed with HER2-positive breast cancer and underwent chemotherapy, a lumpectomy, radiotherapy and targeted treatment.

Hazel said the diagnosis left her feeling as though she had lost trust in her own body, but her treatment was successful and she is now doing well.

‘I’m so glad I went to my GP when I noticed a change in my breast and that my cancer was caught early enough to be treatable,’ she said.

Hazel is now backing the Irish Cancer Society’s Pink campaign, which raises funds for breast cancer support services and research.

She is encouraging people across Waterford to host fundraising events or donate during October.

Around 3,600 women and approximately 30 men are diagnosed with breast cancer in Ireland each year.

Irish Cancer Society nurse Mary O’Kelly is also urging people to be breast aware and to contact their GP if they notice any persistent changes.