Woman with Incurable Cancer Advocates for Breast Screenings

A woman living with incurable breast cancer is strongly encouraging other women to attend their scheduled screenings. Lorna Pirozzolo, 41, expressed that the island’s recently introduced opt-out breast screening service was “absolutely fantastic,” and she prompted “everybody to go.” Commencing in 2025, women between the ages of 50 and 70 will receive automatic invitations for an examination utilizing a new £255,000 mammography machine located at the Enid Quenault Health and Wellbeing Centre. Ms Pirozzolo, whose diagnosis included stage three breast cancer in 2018 and subsequently stage four in 2019, acknowledged that some women might feel apprehensive about potential findings, but she asserted: “Finding it sooner is better.” She recounted conversations with women who held the belief that “if I don’t go for screening, nothing will be found,” but she informed them that “it’s there whether you’ve been screened or not.” “Breast cancer, now especially, caught early is so very survivable,” she stated. She continued, “It doesn’t make sense to go on and wait until you’re symptomatic to have something be found.” Her plea concluded with, “So please, please go for your screening when you’re called.” Previously, women were required to register for breast screening upon reaching the age of 50. Ms Pirozzolo underwent chemotherapy and immunotherapy treatments after discovering a 2.4 inch (6cm) lump in her breast six years prior. She clarified that although stage four cancer is classified as incurable, it remains treatable. She conveyed that she was “making the most of life while I’ve still got it,” but cautioned that women “shouldn’t be like me if you can help it.” “If you can avoid chemotherapy, radiotherapy and immunotherapy and have what is a relatively routine, small surgery – it’s still a big deal for the person – but if you can avoid the rest of it, go for it,” she advised. She further noted that even with annual screenings, “the fundamental thing that people need to do is to check themselves every month.” During the Covid pandemic, Ms Pirozzolo established the website cancer.je, aiming to guide other patients toward relevant services and provide counsel for support available off-island. Additionally, she has served as a member of Jersey’s cancer strategy steering group. For updates, follow BBC Jersey on X and Facebook. Story ideas can be submitted to channel.islands@bbc.co.uk. Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC bears no responsibility for the content found on external sites. Information regarding our external linking policy is available.