Health & Fitness

Tuesday October 27, 2009

Living with breast cancer III - Sailing through by faith

Cancer survivors tell their story

By TRACEY JAN FRANCIS

For Breast Cancer Awareness month, we showcase the stories of three beautiful and brave breast cancer survivors.

These courageous women are a beacon of hope to others who may have recently been diagnosed or are currently being treated for the disease.

It should be a word of warning to women everywhere that no matter who you are or how old you are, cancer does not discriminate. You can learn some facts about the disease from the breast cancer awareness campaign featured throughout this month.

The stories below are testimonials from survivors who are all members of the Breast Cancer Welfare Association (BCWA), a support group formed by breast cancer survivors.

Its aim is to offer emotional, social and practical support for patients and their families. It also aims to educate the public about cancer to create a well-informed community on breast health and awareness, and to rectify misconceptions.

The stories touch on the discovery, diagnosis and treatment, but most of all, they focus on how these brave women dealt with a devastating and often deadly illness.

Sailing through by faith

The first thing one notices when meeting Dr Zaharah Aiyub for the first time is her calm demeanour and comforting presence.

The 53-year-old Universiti Malaya professor first detected the symptoms of breast cancer when she was much younger. She was a university student herself back then, and upon checking the lump and having it removed, she was informed it was not breast cancer. Relieved, Dr Zaharah forgot all about the incident and carried on with her life as usual.

She only underwent a mammogram at the age of 50.

"I should have done it earlier. If I had, I could have avoided having to go through major surgery. I was so tied up with work and my family," she says.

Dr Zaharah

When the doctor told her she had cancer, Dr Zaharah could not believe what she was hearing. She was crushed by the news. She had been an active sportswoman despite being so busy with life and had thought herself reasonably healthy.

"Staying healthy by eating right and exercising alone is not enough. Every woman needs to have a mammogram done once she turns 40," she says.

She kept the news to herself for a few days and only told her family later. Through the Internet, she discovered all kinds of information and resources on the different types of treatment available. She went through surgery, chemotherapy and radiation and was very positive about it all.

"These days, medical treatment is very advanced and I'm confident if it's not a complete cure I'm still going to be treated well," she says.

"I have three children, who are very supportive. My employers are also extremely supportive especially during days when I have to take leave for treatment. I never really took leave from the office as I had always felt fit," she adds.

Dr Zaharah is actively involved in the BCWA and, being a lecturer, she is always highlighting the fact that everyone should be aware of breast cancer and that it is important to detect the illness early. She is not afraid to talk to others about cancer.

"It's a worrying trend these days that women are being diagnosed with breast cancer at an increasingly younger age," she notes. "Perhaps it's our lifestyle and the fact that we are easily stressed nowadays."

Not letting her experience with cancer weaken her, Dr Zaharah is now more active than ever in various physical activities such as frequenting the gym, participating in boating activities and also in BCWA programmes. She went through the whole experience of having breast cancer positively and was knowledgeable about the illness and treatment throughout because she was well read.

"My advise to others diagnosed with breast cancer or who are undergoing treatment: do not be upset with the news of your illness. Do not think your life will end, because something can be done for you. It is also important for you to have a support group. The BCWA gave me the support and confidence I needed to undergo treatment. They were all an inspiration to me. I met a lot of new people and I was not alone," Dr Zaharah says.

Dr Zaharah at the completion of the 1st Putrajaya International Dragon Boat Festival 09 with memebrs of the Pink Challengers.

Dr Zaharah urges all youngsters to perform their monthly BSE correctly for early detection of breast cancer.

It has been two years now since Dr Zaharah was diagnosed with stage 2 breast cancer and she is still undergoing regular follow-up checks. She has the support of her husband and her three children; her mother, who has since passed away, also provided invaluable support.

"The whole experience has been a wake-up call for me. I am an honest worker and I take good care of my family and at the end of the day, you have to realise that you must turn back to God for everything," she says. "Whatever I have gone through and will be going through is with the Almighty's blessings and I will get through it with lots of faith and prayer."

Dr Zaharah is quite right too.

Sometimes God allows us to go through things so that we may share with others at the end. All women can overcome this illness and get through it. It is just one of life's obstacles. Indeed, these are such strong women and there are so many women out there like them – a new case is diagnosed every three minutes somewhere in the world.

So do your part and be aware. Early detection of breast cancer can save lives.

Related stories:

Living with breast cancer - Love conquers all

Living with breast cancer II - Triumph through Tenacity