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Yoliswa Dube Features Reporter
VUYELWA Moyo was only 16 years old when her mother lost the battle against breast cancer seven years ago.
Although fairly young, she was old enough to see the good fight her mother had put up against the ailment.
When Moyo’s mother finally succumbed to cancer, she had become tired and frail and as such could not fight anymore.
Now 23 years old, Moyo remembers a trip she made to the barber with her mother who wanted to get her long, dark locks cut.
“My mother had started chemotherapy and was worried about her hair falling off. Her doctor had said nausea and hair loss would be some of the more aggressive side effects to be expected while undergoing chemotherapy,” said Moyo.
“I remember her being very worried about losing her hair. Obviously she was very conscious about her looks. She thought cutting off the locks in advance would be better than watching them fall off.”
During her mother’s last days, Moyo spent more time with her and had conversations she said she vaguely remembers but cherishes dearly.
“She had become more withdrawn from family and friends and would tell me a lot of things she probably thought meant nothing to me because I was really young. But I could see she was tired and afraid.
She was too scared to die and leave us while we were still young,” said Moyo.
Many, like Moyo’s mother, feel a dark cloud has been cast over them when they are diagnosed with cancer as there is still no cure for the disease.
Living in a country with an ailing health system where little can be done to treat the symptoms does not help the situation.
The fourth year University of Namibia student said she had made it her responsibility to learn more about breast cancer and share whatever little information she got with other women.
“The issue of breast cancer is one which is very close to my heart because I lost my mother to the disease. Now I preach the hope of early detection. If it’s detected early, more can be done. Unfortunately for my mother, she only knew she had breast cancer after it had already spread,” said Moyo.
October is breast cancer awareness month, which is an annual campaign to increase awareness of the disease.
While most people are aware of breast cancer, many forget to take the steps to have a plan to detect the disease in its early stages and encourage others to do the same.
Although many stories have been told of people who have managed to fight cancer until it went into remission, most have lost their battle to the disease.
A cancer diagnosis has become more of a death sentence.There is however hope even before a cure is found, to save lives of cancer patients.
“It has become scarier to be diagnosed with cancer than to be HIV positive. Cancer spreads and treatment may fail to work but with HIV, you know once you adhere to antiretroviral treatment, you can live a long and healthy life,” said Thandiwe Ncube, a Bulawayo resident.
Unlike HIV whose symptoms can be treated systematically, cancer is a silent but aggressive killer which sometimes cannot be kept at bay for long.
Ncube said although women are encouraged to check themselves and feel for lumps in their breasts, few remember to do it regularly.
“Now we’re told about the importance of early detection but a few of us actually take it seriously. It’s imperative that we check ourselves for lumps and when in doubt consult a doctor,” said Ncube.
Cancer refers to any one of a large number of diseases characterised by the development of abnormal cells that divide uncontrollably and have the ability to infiltrate and destroy normal body tissue. It often has the ability to spread throughout the body.
Cancer is the second-leading cause of death in many countries across the world but survival rates are improving for many types of cancer, thanks to improvements in cancer screening and cancer treatment.
A local medical practitioner, Dr Wilson Mtare said cancer begins in the cells, which are the building blocks of the body.
“Normally, your body forms new cells as you need them, replacing old cells that die. Sometimes this process goes wrong. New cells grow even when you don’t need them, and old cells don’’t die when they should.
“These extra cells can form a mass called a tumor. Tumors can be benign or malignant. Benign tumors aren’t cancerous while malignant ones are. Cells from malignant tumors can invade nearby tissues. They can also break away and spread to other parts of the body,” said Dr Mtare.
He said there are more than 100 different types of cancer with most being named for where they start.
“For example, lung cancer starts in the lung, and breast cancer starts in the breast.”
“Symptoms and treatment depend on the cancer type and how advanced it is. Most treatment plans may include surgery, radiation and or chemotherapy. Some may involve hormone therapy, biologic therapy, or stem cell transplantation,” said Dr Mtare.
He said cancer harms the body when altered cells divide uncontrollably to form lumps or masses of tissue called tumors.
“Tumors can grow and interfere with the digestive, nervous, and circulatory systems and they can release hormones that alter body function. Tumors that stay in one spot and demonstrate limited growth are generally considered to be benign,” said Dr Mtare.
According to studies, having a family history of breast cancer, among other factors increases the risk of breast cancer.
Studies further show that breast cancer is sometimes caused by inherited gene mutations.
“Signs of breast cancer include a lump or change in the breast but tests that examine the breasts are used to detect and diagnose breast cancer. If cancer is found, tests are done to study the cancer cells,” said Jessy Bafana, a cancer activist.
She said women should consult their doctors if they notice lumps or thickening in or near the breast or in the underarm area.
“A change in the size or shape of the breast, a dimple in the skin of the breast, a nipple turned inward into the breast, fluid, other than breast milk, from the nipple, especially if it’s bloody are reason enough to visit the doctor and get checked,” said Bafana.
She said scaly, red, or swollen skin on the breast, nipple, or dark area of skin around the nipple or dimples in the breast that look like the skin of an orange also needed the attention of a doctor.
“Early detection has become an important aspect in the treatment of breast cancer. Women need not be afraid and expect the worst. There’s no cure yet but there’s still the hope of beating cancer,” said Bafana.
Online Reporter