Tahu tak 1 in 19 women are at risk of developing breast cancer. Breast Cancer Foundation juga stressed that breast cancer is the second leading cause of death amongst women globally. Sebab itu perempuan kena lah prioritise their breast health.
As a matter of fact, untuk encourage women to take charge of their breast health, and to emphasise the importance of early detection and prevention, we decided to speak with a breast cancer survivor on her fight against breast cancer.
Her name is Marissa, and this is her story.
“I felt a lump, and thought it was naught.”
While most of us were busy navigating through college when we were in our early 20s, Marissa, rasa as if dia hilang arah tuju hidup dia selepas she was diagnosed with stage 1 breast cancer. Being the eldest sibling, Marissa prided herself for being responsible, and hence, rasa sangat geram dengan diri sendiri for ignoring the symptoms of breast cancer despite knowing her family’s medical history.
“For half a year I noticed that my left breast had a lump that moved around whenever I touched it, and I do remember noticing that it grew,” and sullenly shared that dia buat taktahu the symptoms sebab ingatkan benda biasa je. Months passed, and Marissa soon noticed that her breast grew increasingly tender with her skin starting to dimple, tapi dia masih buat tak tahu.
“I think it was mostly my ego, because I strongly believed that it is impossible for someone to be diagnosed with breast cancer at such a young age,” she acknowledged. Tapi akhirnya, Marissa jumpa doctor after she noticed that her nipple retracted, and tiba-tiba berdarah.
And, on 17 July 2013, following a mammogram, and a biopsy, Marissa was diagnosed with breast cancer pada usia 22 years old.
“Mastectomy? Might as well take my femininity away too.”
Berita ni sangat susah untuk Marissa terima, even more so when her oncologist pointed out that the tumour has been growing for approximately three years. “She mentioned that the tumour has to divide itself multiple times before we can physically feel the lump,” and luahkan perasaan kecewa dia for ignoring the first time she felt a lump.
So, untuk halang cancer dari merebak, as well as to reduce the risk of re-growth, her oncologist recommended Marissa to undergo a total mastectomy — a surgical procedure to have her left breast completely removed. Mestilah the suggestion did not sit well with the young lady.
“I was only 22, but I knew I wanted to experience motherhood, especially breastfeeding because it’s one of the many experiences that makes the woman’s body so unique,” dia luahkan and cakap dia mula-mula reject the idea. As delaying treatment will risk her life, Marissa was in a race against time to make a decision regarding her treatment.
But, how does a woman make a decision to have her breast completely removed, and wholeheartedly accept it?
“The cancer robbed me of my youth, and my sense of identity too.”
Marissa and her parents decided to seek opinions from different oncologists, sebab dia tak setuju nak undergo a total mastectomy. Tapi lepas meeting with several oncologists, one of them was willing to conduct a lumpectomy, and stressed on the importance of Marissa attending chemotherapy.
“I was thrilled to know that I wouldn’t have to say goodbye to my ‘breast friend,’ but I was still sad,” dan rasa yang the side effects of chemotherapy will rob her of her youth, and the cancer made her feel like a victim. Marissa, who was known for being the jovial, and carefree one amongst her family and friends, confessed that she fell into a deep state of depression selepas dia habis her 6-month-course of chemotherapy sessions.
Although her oncologist said that the removal was a success, and the risk of re-growth is little, Marissa said that she was still “wallowing in self-pity,” and was “feeling lost, angry, and incomplete,” and did not see herself as a survivor. “It’s scary how a disease can turn your world upside down. It doesn’t just take your life away; it takes your whole being,” and added that she decided to take a leave of absence from college for a year to heal.
“There was a reason God gave me cancer… I just didn’t realise it earlier.”
But, empat bulan lepas her last chemotherapy, Marissa’s mother put her foot down after Marissa refused to eat, and ignored her personal hygiene. So, her mother (literally) paksa dia jumpa psychologist. “Needless to say I was reluctant, but after the doctor made me feel understood, and validated my emotions, I began to heal,” she communicated.
“She helped me realise that I was mostly angry at myself for ignoring the early symptoms, and because I didn’t know anyone else who had breast cancer, I felt alone,” and tertanya-tanya survivors lain rasa macam ni juga ke. Though, that was not the only realisation that Marissa gained from speaking with a psychologist sebab Marissa kongsi that she has a, “renewed sense of appreciation for life, and I am more present compared to before.”
“Before cancer, I was very cautious with my life, and I was more concerned with planning events or moments rather than actually seeking or doing it,” she recalled. Tapi lepas Marissa anggap ni peluang kedua at life, Marissa is committed to live in the moment (more), and is more aggressive in pursuing her goals as well as ticking off her bucket list. “God didn’t give me cancer to punish me. He gave me cancer to help me appreciate the good things in life more, and just to appreciate life in general more,” she opined.
“Love your breast, for your ‘breast’ interest.”
As she recounted her life, the now 29-year-old breast cancer survivor urged women to know the signs and symptoms of breast cancer to encourage early detection and prevention. But, yang paling penting, she strongly encouraged women with a family history of breast cancer to go an annual mammogram to be on the safe side, and emphasised that:
“Your femininity or womanhood is not attached to your breast: it’s your heart, it’s your spirit, and it’s your mind,” and called for all Malaysians, to come together and stand united for breast cancer survivors, and to those who are battling silently.
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Disclaimer: Our content is strictly for educational and informational purposes only. Healthlah.com does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.
