Action Cancer Early Screening Saves Hillsborough Mother

Julie Ellison, a 43-year-old barrister and mother of three from Hillsborough, credits an early breast cancer diagnosis with saving her life. After a routine mammogram detected aggressive Grade 3 breast cancer, Ellison underwent successful treatment. She is now urging communities across the North to support Action Cancer's Breast Friends BBQ campaign to fund vital early screening services that catch cancer before it spreads.

How did an early mammogram change Julie Ellison's life?

There is a quiet strength in the hills of Down, a resilience that runs through the people. Julie Ellison knows this well. It started with a simple conversation. A chat with a friend prompted her to book a mammogram. The appointment felt routine, and she left thinking nothing more of it. Weeks later, a small dark area on an ultrasound screen changed everything. A core biopsy confirmed the presence of aggressive, fast-growing Grade 3 breast cancer. Ellison described the biopsy as quite painful, but the clarity it brought was vital. Without that early scan, the outcome could have been much different.

What was the treatment and recovery process?

Following her diagnosis, Ellison tried to maintain her work as a barrister. She quickly realized she lacked the strength to continue. She completed 15 radiotherapy sessions over three weeks in September 2024. The treatment took its toll. She experienced fatigue, shooting pains, brain fog, and severe skin redness. Yet, as her body began to heal, she finally found restful sleep. By the start of the following year, the care she received paid dividends. Ellison returned to work with a new lease of life, picking up the violin and joining a choir. She reminds us that your health is your wealth.

Why is community healthcare vital for early breast cancer detection?

Access to early screening saves lives. In the North, the NHS breast screening programme does not begin until age 50. Charities like Action Cancer step in to provide crucial earlier access, filling the gaps left by the state system. Ellison and her family raised £1,770 for Action Cancer last year. This year, they aim for a £2,000 target with bouncy castles, BBQs, music, and community spirit. Newtownabbey cooking influencers Romilly Moore and her husband Jim Moore are also backing the campaign, offering their recipes to those who sign up. Romilly Moore stressed the importance of attending routine screenings every two years until the state programme starts. Early detection relies on community solidarity and accessible healthcare.

How can you support the Breast Friends BBQ campaign?

Action Cancer is calling on people across the North to host a Breast Friends BBQ. The funds raised go directly toward life-saving breast screening services. You can register online to receive recipes from Romilly and Jim Moore. By hosting a BBQ, you ensure that women like Julie Ellison get the chance to catch cancer early and survive.

When does the NHS breast screening programme begin in the North?

The NHS breast screening programme starts at age 50. Action Cancer provides earlier screening for women under 50, filling a vital gap in the healthcare system.

What is Action Cancer's Breast Friends BBQ?

It is a community fundraising campaign where people host barbecues to raise money for Action Cancer's life-saving early breast screening services across the North.