A routine breast cancer screening, delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic, led to the early detection of cancer for Anna Hickey, a 55-year-traditional martial arts enthusiast from Cork, Ireland. Had her mammogram occurred as originally scheduled, Hickey believes the cancer would not have been discovered at such an early, treatable stage.
“My routine over-50 breast scan was delayed due to Covid,” Hickey explained. “So when I finally had it done in August 2023, something showed up and I was called back for another check.” Initially, she attributed the need for a second scan to fainting during the procedure due to low blood pressure, hoping it was simply a matter of obtaining a clearer image. However, subsequent investigations revealed a diagnosis of ductal carcinoma in situ, an early form of breast cancer.
“This would not have been picked up if I’d had my mammogram on the original date, and then by the time I went for another one, it would have been a very different outcome,” Hickey said. Remarkably, she had experienced no symptoms prior to the diagnosis, leading her to initially question the results. “When they told me initially, I said that they must have made a mistake, it wasn’t possible that I had cancer as I didn’t have any symptoms.”
Hickey underwent a lymph node removal in December 2023, followed by a mastectomy on her right breast several months later. Fortunately, the cancer had not spread, allowing for a simultaneous breast reconstruction. While the surgery was successful, recovery proved lengthy and challenging. The reconstruction utilized skin and blood vessels from her abdomen, resulting in a 40cm scar and a period of multiple infections requiring extensive physiotherapy to correct postural changes developed while protecting the wound.
Despite the ordeal, Hickey credits her active lifestyle in Korean martial arts with her overall fitness and positive outlook. She returned to training a year after surgery and, in September 2024, competed at the Kuk Sool Won European Championships in Rotterdam, Netherlands. There, she achieved promotion to Jo Kyo Nim 1st degree, won two medals, and earned a black belt.
“I had initially thought I would only be off work for about eight weeks, but it was actually 12 months in total,” Hickey said. “But although recovery took longer than I expected, I feel so lucky that the cancer was caught in time, my treatment went well and I made a full recovery.”
Hickey’s experience coincides with the Irish Cancer Society’s annual Daffodil Day fundraising initiative, taking place this Friday, with a goal of raising over €6 million to support patient services including counseling, night nursing, and transportation. Hickey strongly encourages individuals to attend all scheduled screening appointments, emphasizing their importance despite potential time constraints. “You might feel like you haven’t got time, but they are so important,” she stated. “If I hadn’t gone for mine, the cancer would have travelled and the journey I went on would have been entirely different and the outcome might not have been the same. Go to the scans, go to the checks – and if you’re diagnosed, talk to people. Whatever you’re going through, someone has gone through it already.”
Hickey also highlighted the value of support networks, both within the martial arts community and through family and friends, and the resources available through organizations like the Irish Cancer Society. “Although I didn’t have to think about whether or not my cancer would be fatal or having to worry about my children, it still made me think about the fact that we might be a bit more vulnerable than we think, and small things can upset us,” she added. “I am very thankful for everything and feeling positive about the future.”
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