Martha Reilly was diagnosed with breast cancer seven years ago.
"I thought I would be the last person in the world to get breast cancer because I wasn't overweight, I didn't smoke, I drank moderately, I had no family history of breast cancer and I did yoga and meditation," explains the mother of two grown-up children.
Her GP discovered the lump when she was renewing her prescription for HRT (hormone replacement therapy).
"I wasn't particularly alarmed because I had a previous benign lump removed many years ago. But a biopsy confirmed that this one was a malignant tumour and, within two weeks, I had surgery to have it removed."
Having a mastectomy didn't prove too difficult for her.
"I wasn't one of those women who feel losing a breast is a horrific thing. I wanted to get rid of the cancer but I did have reconstructive surgery three years later because I found the protheses hot and uncomfortable.
"In fact, now I think that having the reconstructive surgery was an indication that I was positive enough that I'd be around for a long time.
"You feel quite negative for the first couple of years after surgery."
A course of chemotherapy followed the surgery and then, the longer, slower psychological recovery began.
"The fear of cancer stays with you for years and one of the problems many women with breast cancer face is that instead of learning to express their fears, they find themselves trying to protect their families from this fear," Reilly says.
Describing the cancer journey as a long and lonely road, Reilly found support in the Reach to Recovery Cancer Support group for women who have had breast cancer.
Now, in turn, she offers support to women who have just received the diagnosis.
"I found talking about my cancer very helpful and now I want to reassure other women.
"It's mainly about listening but it is reassuring in itself to speak to someone who is still around seven years later."
• The Irish Cancer Society is currently developing a support group for younger women with breast cancer. If you are under the age of 45 and would like to get involved, contact Action Breast Cancer on freefone 1800 30 90 40.