beaware

how manY of us sit down to think of the good things that life has bestowed upon us? how manY count our blessings each daY? with a new lease of life, five breast cancer survivors share with Cassey Oliveira the lessons theY have learnt in their journeY of survival.

Life's many Lessons

lesson 3

You are Your own strength.

Neysa: I am a resilient person. I did cry at times, but I felt something come over me and tell me that I was going to be alright. I went to Panama for treatment by myself. I called this a journey, and wanted to do it alone. It was my personal strength that kept me going. The funny thing is when you tell people you have cancer, they start crying, and you end up consoling them that it s going to be okay! amaNi H: When I told my daughters about the breast cancer, they were scared for me, and the eldest was scared for herself. Since I had it, she thought she would get it too. So I took her for an ultra sound and it was fine. My youngest took it the hardest. But this made me stronger as I felt if I looked scared and weak during my treatment, it would affect them more. My children became less worried once they saw me full of hope. Once you start the treatment, things start falling to place and you know what you have to do. You feel confident and strong. You need to have a high morale and a positive attitude to get well soon.

TruThs abouT breasT cancer

breast cancer is not contagious. breast cancer is a just like anY other disease. it can be treated.

lesson 1

You know Your bodY the best.

Neysa: The moment I first felt a lump in my breast, I knew what it was. But my mammograms always came fine, and I was told I was fine. Soon I started feeling worse, I was vomiting blood. When I did a re-test in Qatar, I was finally diagnosed with breast cancer. If you feel something is wrong, though the tests are negative, ask for a re-test. You know better how your body feels.

You don't have to be under medication lifelong. it depends on what Your doctor saYs and more importantlY on how Your bodY takes it.

there is no quick solution for breast cancer. be patient and believe in Yourself as well as in Your medication.

You would fall sick for a daY or two, but after that You will lead a normal life even under medication.

lesson 2

Your familY is Your greatest support.

Luiza: When I first felt a lump in my breast I was contemplating going to the doctor. Only when my then 12-year-old son started insisting, did I have my mammography. When I told my son that I had breast cancer, he cried the first day. Every day after that he would kiss me, hug me, and try to make me laugh. I asked him why he did that, and he said because he wanted to see me happy. Noura: My family supported me a lot during my treatment. I can never forget how my mother would sit next to me everyday and read the Quran with her hand on my chest.

exercise doesnt deteriorate Your condition. it makes You fitter.

You will survive breast cancer if detected and treated earlY.

HOPE, SMILE AND SURVIVE: (l-r) Neysa Hill, Luiza Pancoti, Noura, Amany Eid Garcia and Amani Halawa.

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Luisa: I never wanted anyone to feel sorry for me. I told my husband and children to get back to their routine and not worry about me. I also never let the fear of losing my breast come across my mind. I think this helped me stay positive. Noura: I always went for my chemotherapy alone because I didn t want to see someone upset because of my cancer. I am much stronger than the rest of my family. moved the scarf my son kissed my head and told me that I was always beautiful. Noura: I had removed both my breasts simultaneously because I was told by my doctor that the cancer would spread to the other breast in the future, and I didn t want to go through the whole process again. I didn t want to keep my breasts to look beautiful to people; living was more important.

women in qatar are luckY...

lesson 4

lesson 6 for those who cannot afford the treatment, all expenses are borne bY the qatar national cancer societY.

breast cancer is not the worst thing to happen.

amaNi H: The word cancer itself is very scary. I always thought cancer is the worst thing that could happen to anyone, not until I saw people suffering from nervous system disorders that are incurable. Their entire body is affected whereas just removing a breast doesn t affect your body in anyway.

appreciate life.
amaNy e: Now that I have survived I have grown stronger, mature and confident. amaNi H: As a survivor, you start to see life in a better way. You don t fuss anymore. You learn that friends and family are the most important things in life.

lesson 5

al amal hospital does earlY detection for breast cancer for free.

Luiza: When you have breast cancer, every morning you wake up and pray to get one more day to be with your family. You start to appreciate life. Noura: I have got a new life and am now starting to see the more beautiful things in life. I had friends before, but with breast cancer I have now met so many good friends who have helped changed my attitude towards life.

appearance doesnt matter.

Neysa: I decided to excise both my breasts because of the type of cancer I had. It would have spread to the other breast in the future. I just wanted to live. amaNi H: Some women live for their appearances and those are the ones who would suffer during the treatment. They don t do chemotherapy because they fear losing their hair but they don t realise they might lose their life. For an ordinary, practical woman, appearances don t matter. They know that the physical changes that come with breast cancer are temporary. Your hair would grow back. You can also opt for a breast reconstruction surgery. Luiza: After my chemotherapy, I had lost all my hair. I cried. I came home with a head scarf around my head. My son asked me to remove it but I refused as I thought I looked ugly. He insisted and told me that I didn t have to cry because my hair would grow back soon. When I finally re-

lesson 7

haYat cancer support group

initiated bY the qatar national cancer societY, the haYat cancer support group comprises breast cancer survivors, families of survivors and health care professionals who are involved with spreading awareness and supporting breast cancer patients.

life is a test, face it.

amaNy e: Religion says that humans will always be tested this was one of my tests. You need to be strong to accept it and find a way out. amaNi H: To have fear is not bad; but let the fear be your motive to survive, not the reason why you die. Luiza: I once asked my cousin why I got cancer when there were people who were unhealthy, who drank alcohol and smoked cigarettes. My cousin replied that it was because God loved me, he knew that I could handle it much better than such people. It s sad that those with good health are wasting their life with cigarettes and alcohol

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