Duduza – Cancer survivor Brenda Mdakane is starting a support group for cancer survivors and those currently undergoing treatment for cancer in Duduza called Happy Women’s.
“When I noticed a change in my breast, and after being scared for some time, I went for a mammogram and cancer was detected in my right breast and had started spreading to my left.
Also Read: What you need to know about prostate and testicular cancer – a brief recap
“I started going for treatment where I realised the importance of speaking about cancer and I am now cancer free,” she says.
Mdakane started off by being part of an NGO where she went around spreading awareness on cancer and the importance of treatment.
“Some of the issues I have picked up in my work is how people stop going to chemo when it starts making them feel sick, which in some cases leads to their deaths,” she explains.
Mdakane says, through her work, she noticed many uninformed opinions about cancer.
“Some people in our community believe cancer is witchcraft and opt for traditional medicine and only look into Western medicine when their cancer is advanced, which for some people is too late,” she says.
Another problem she noticed was men with cancer.
“During our programmes, I noticed that there were not many men as they are afraid to speak about their cancer.
“By including prostate cancer in our programmes, we hope to see more men share their experiences with cancer,” she says.
During the support group sessions, Happy Women’s hopes to teach attendees how to perform self-examinations and how to take care of oneself when on treatment.
Also Read: Jozi’s finest run cancer straight outta town at this year’s Hollard Daredevil Run
“We are trying to remove the secrecy around cancer by getting people to speak up and get support from people who understand,” she says.
In addition to Happy Women’s, Mdakane and her associates host cancer awareness events and use the proceeds from the ticket sales to buy school uniforms for underprivileged learners in the community.
“We will be meeting later in the month to plan the first meeting of the support group and will release the details when they are ready,” she says.
Mdakane can be contacted on 078 338 1689.
