This Daffodil Day, the Irish Cancer Society is urging the public to Go All in Against Cancer.
Many Irish women will understand the struggle of finding a doctor who believes you. Many of us have had our symptoms and struggles dismissed; some of us have been called hysterical, others told they’re just stressed out and need to sleep more.
Fighting to have your voice heard by your medical professional is a reality for many, but something we shouldn’t have to put up with.
One woman who faced that struggle is mum-of-two Letitia, whose cancer diagnosis was delayed because doctors originally thought she was having a bad reaction to her lip fillers.
Letitia McFarlane, a mother of two from Leitrim, was on holiday with her family in November 2022 when her face started swelling.
The 25-year-old’s face swelled up on holiday, and when she got back to Ireland to see her GP, it was suspected she had an allergic reaction to something.
Letitia told doctors she had her lips filled about two weeks before going on holiday, and this was blamed for the swelling.
“I knew something wasn’t right, and they just weren’t listening to how severe it was.”
The mum was put on steroids, but the swelling returned when they tried to taper her off the medication.
Speaking about her experience, the mum told Her.ie: “I definitely felt unheard. I said it to my family how I felt like nobody was listening to what’s wrong.
“I knew there was something wrong. I just never thought it would be cancer. I knew something wasn’t right, and they just weren’t listening to how severe it was.”
In January 2023, she began to experience difficulty breathing, and after a further visit to the ED, she was eventually referred to immunology at Galway University Hospital.
Following a series of tests, she was diagnosed with a type of blood cancer. Her diagnosis of Stage 2 Primary Mediastinal Large B Cell Lymphoma was confirmed following a biopsy.
Letitia said having her loved ones around her was vital for her mental health during treatment.
“I had a lot of family around me, and everyone just pulled together. I always had a person with me throughout the day at home and in the hospital.
“It was always my granny, my grandad, my partner, my mum, my dad, or my sisters.
“I have two young kids as well so everyone was always there to do something and help me and keep me occupied.”
Throughout 2023, Letitia underwent extensive treatment, beginning with chemotherapy straight after her diagnosis, which lasted until August.
She then began immunotherapy in October and November and by January 2024, she began Car-T cell therapy in St. James’s Hospital in Dublin.
By May 2024, she finally got the news that she was in remission.
Speaking of the moment she found out she was in remission, Letitia said it was “a real pinch me moment.”
The mum praised the Irish Cancer Society for offering her vital support and comfort during such a distressing time.
This Daffodil Day, the Irish Cancer Society are urging the public to Go All in Against Cancer.
The Irish Cancer Society’s Daffodil Day takes place Friday 28th March 2025 and we’re asking Ireland to come together as a community and go all in. Visit cancer.ie to donate today.
