by Tatenda Murandu
Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers among women. Reports have shown that one in eight women is expected to have been diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime. These women are our loved ones, friends, neighbours and core workers.
Facing breast cancer is a life altering experience for most breast cancer patients. On their journey through cancer they often learn about strength and hope. Samantha Ndhlovu shares her experience to inspire others to help fight breast cancer.
It was in 2020 when 48 year old Samantha discovered a lump in her left breast. She didn’t panic as she knew that lumps could develop at her age. Her mind never registered that it could be cancer. After some time Samantha felt pain in her breast and decided to pay her doctor a visit.
Samantha was referred to take a mammogram scan and was referred to an oncologist at the Cancer Centre in Harare. Here, she was given her shocking diagnosis, she had breast cancer.
Navigating this devastating time Samantha turned to her pastor for encouragement and hope. She also had sessions with her oncologist who further explained to her that her diagnosis was not a death sentence. These sessions gave her insight and the courage to undergo treatment.
Samantha went through eight rounds of chemotherapy, eventually she lost her hair.
Her condition, coupled with raising a daughter in her teens was quite traumatizing to both the mother and daughter as they expected the worst to happen. However Samantha’s daughter had supportive friends surprisingly, all of them had been undergoing the same predicament; having their parents diagnosed with cancer.
It was difficult for Samantha to face her family, telling them what was wrong with her. When she did she later regretted telling some of them as all they did was increase her anxiety by making her believe she had been handed a death sentence. But Samantha knew she could survive, her daughter needed her and meeting other women who were survivors spurred on her belief and courage.
Now in remission, Samantha has the will to live, learning to adjust to the current lifestyle as compared to her former life, including a different, healthier diet. Being diagnosed with cancer made her realise the importance of family and having peace with everyone. Having a positive mind made her overcome the fatal disease of cancer.
Samantha advises women to self-examine themselves regularly or get checked by a medical practitioner for cancer. If diagnosed with cancer one should be able to accept it and seek medical assistance and advice. Cancer is not a death sentence but a disease one can conquer with the right medication and mind-set.