Contrary to popular belief, breast cancer survivors love talking about their experience and their treatments. Not because of bragging rights – cancer is nothing to brag about. But because they share the same aim, which is to promote breast cancer awareness, knowledge, and channel support through their own personal encounters.
Because what they’ve learned will help you cope with the trials in your life. And by reaching out to someone going through cancer may even change their lives altogether.
Today, we hear it from Irene Yap firsthand, in a quiet room tucked away in the corner of the National Cancer Society of Malaysia (NSCM). And she shares with us the joys and the pains of her journey through breast cancer.
When did you discover that you had breast cancer?
“I had my first mammogram at the end of 2005 after my gynaecologist said that I should, since I was above 50 years of age. To be honest, the results were positive – there was nothing wrong with me. But then came October 2006, during the Breast Cancer Awareness Month, I attended one of those workshops and they taught us how to do self-examinations. I felt a lump.”
“Early January 2007, I went for an ultrasound and true enough, they found a lump. The radiologist told me that they needed to do a biopsy. Over that weekend, I went hunting for all the information I needed on breast cancer. And on Monday, the doctor called me and said that the lump was malignant and that I had Stage 1 breast cancer.”
What was going through your mind at that time?
“I cried the whole night and my husband cried with me. That was the scariest experience I’ve ever had. I thought I was going to lose my life. I kept thinking how much I’d like to live to see my kids graduating, and getting married. I couldn’t stop questioning my situation but I knew I had to get through it.”
“The great thing, however, was how my kids were great support. Despite finding it difficult to break the news to them, they stayed strong for me. As a matter of fact, they were the ones who told me that it’s still in an early stage, and that I’d be just fine. They were so positive!”
“Within the week, I had a lumpectomy, to remove the 1.5cm lump. After my lumpectomy, my doctor told me that I didn’t need to have a mastectomy. I even escaped chemotherapy. The aftercare required me to go through only 15 sessions of radiotherapy, and on a hormone therapy to control my cancer cells. I took a leave of absence for two months, and have been in remission for about four years now.”
How did your experience change your life?
“There are no guarantees with cancer and there have been cases where women experience relapses even if their cancer was detected at an early stage previously. But it helps to look at life positively and remain active. It was through my experience that encouraged me to become a volunteer for NCSM’s Women’s Cancer Support Group, to reach out and help others like myself. I find my life a lot more meaningful now.”
Women usually shy away the moment they’re diagnosed with breast cancer. Perhaps it’s the trauma from understanding their bodily changes or the process of learning to accept what has happened to them that inevitably makes them more private. But here’s a special message from Irene Yap, to all the women in Malaysia:
For more information visit their website.
