Donegal woman finds comfort in local care after shock cancer diagnosis
A Donegal woman who overcame breast cancer last year is encouraging others to trust their instincts and act quickly if something feels wrong.
Lynette Barnett, a mum of four from Raphoe, was devastated when she got her diagnosis in spring 2024.
But within six months, she had completed her entire course of treatment close to home at Letterkenny University Hospital.
It was February 2024 when Lynette first went to her GP about a lump she’d noticed for some time. She was referred to the Breast Care Unit at Letterkenny University Hospital and had a mammogram, ultrasound and biopsies ten days later.
Seven days later, she heard the news that nobody wants to hear.
“I got the devastating news that I had breast cancer,” Lynette recalls.
“I thought my world was going to end, but I put all my trust in my consultant Mr Sugrue to look after me and he certainly did.”
In the months that followed, Lynette had 16 rounds of chemotherapy, 15 rounds of radiation and a mastectomy. By November 2024, her treatment was complete.
Lynette counts herself fortunate to have had the Breast Centre North West for expert care close to home, where help is just a phone call away.
“I can’t thank my breast care nurses Geraldine and Nicola enough for looking after me,” she says. She also praises her consultant, Mr Michael Sugrue, for going above and beyond after surgery.
“They are such a good team. I go up for regular checks and can be very nervous but they put you at ease,” she says.
Lynette’s diagnosis has changed how she thinks about her body and her health. She now stresses the importance of self-checking and acting quickly if something doesn’t feel right.
“It put awareness big time into my family and my friends,” she says. “Nobody checks themselves as much now as I do. I am always checking my other breast.”
Lynette has also learned just how common breast cancer is among women of all ages.
“Since my diagnosis, I’ve been talking to a shocking number of people who had it and I didn’t know,” she says.
“I think we need mammograms done earlier than fifty. I hear about so many younger women who are getting diagnosed that I think that screening should be from 30 onwards.”
Grateful for her treatment, Lynette has shared her story to stress “how important it is to be breast aware at any age and to trust your instincts when something doesn’t feel right.”
“We all need to be very vigilant,” she adds.
Hear Lynette tell her story in her own words in this video clip:
Lynette is one of the many patients of the LUH Breast Centre who will be celebrated at the North West Breast Cancer Charity Ball on 5th December.
The special evening in the Silver Tassie Hotel Letterkenny will fundraise for advances at the Letterkenny centre, while celebrating survivors and remembering those who have sadly passed.
All proceeds raised will directly support the vital services provided by the North West Breast Cancer Centre, helping those affected by breast cancer in the region.
Legendary Republic of Ireland goalkeeper and pundit Shay Given will be the special guest of this year’s event in the Silver Tassie Hotel, Letterkenny, with the inimitable MC Noel Cunningham.
The ticket price for the event is €60.00 per person, and the festivities will begin with a drinks reception at 7.15 p.m., followed by a delicious three-course meal and dancing with the Beefsteak Dancers.
Tickets can be purchased at The Silver Tassie Hotel, Letterkenny, Co. Donegal. Telephone No. 074 91 25619.
The hotel is once again offering its hugely successful overnight accommodation on a Bed & Breakfast basis.
There will be an exciting raffle and auction on the night so keep an eye on the Facebook and Instagram pages in the next few weeks for more information.
So why not get a group together and join the NorthWest Breast Cancer Ball – Friday 5th December.
Donegal woman finds comfort in local care after shock cancer diagnosis was last modified: November 21st, 2025 by Rachel McLaughlin
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