Author Cathy Kelly confirms breast cancer diagnosis: ‘I’m doing well’

Irish author Cathy Kelly has confirmed she has been diagnosed with breast cancer and has started treatment.

In a post on X, formerly Twitter, the award-winning fiction writer said she is currently undergoing chemotherapy.

“Thanks to love and support and a brilliant medical team, I’m doing well and you’ll be hearing more from me soon. Having lots of cuddles with my gorgeous Scamp and Juno. Also coming soon: chemo hats – the patterns,” the 57-year-old said, referencing her pet cat and dog.

The writer received numerous good wishes from fellow writers including Liz Nugent, Jane Casey and Caroline James. Podcaster Louise McSharry and many other fans of Kelly’s fiction also sent messages of support.

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Kelly was born in Belfast but raised in Dublin and worked as a journalist for the Sunday World when she published her first international best-seller, Woman to Woman, in 1997.

She published two more books before retiring from journalism in 2001.

[ Cathy Kelly: ‘My inner demons could create their own rugby team’ ]

Her books Lessons in Heartbreak and Homecoming were shortlisted for the Eason Irish popular fiction book of the year at the Irish Book Awards.

Her novel Once in a Lifetime also topped the UK best-sellers list for multiple weeks, with Homecoming achieving that same feat.

Kelly is involved with many charities, having been an ambassador for Unicef Ireland since 2005. She was a contestant on RTÉ's Dancing with the Stars last year.