Daveyton resident channels positive energy to overcome breast cancer

In life, we often find ourselves in battles. Some battles are small while others can be excruciating on our physical and mental well-being.

Masabata Matlala found herself in one of the toughest battles out there; a battle against breast cancer.

With October being Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the Daveyton resident shares her story, hoping that it will reach others.

The 61-year-old was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2016.

“I’m a really positive person. I see silver linings in everything and when the doctor told me I had cancer, I didn’t expect it,” said Matlala.

“Most people who get diagnosed with cancer think of it as a death sentence.”

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She said she went to several doctors before she was diagnosed, as some of them told her she didn’t have cancer.

“Most of the doctors said I was fine and healthy, but the lump under my breast was not going away and I couldn’t sleep at night.

“I then went to a hospital in Benoni and the doctor there conducted a biopsy and that’s how I was diagnosed.”

It is important to seek information and to constantly observe the changes in your body.

The mother of two then started chemotherapy, radiation and she also underwent the lumpectomy surgery.

She said chemo is very painful; your body goes through a complete reboot. The chemo poisons you from the inside out.

“However, you need to keep a positive mindset, don’t let fear or how you look in the mirror kill you,” said Matlala.

“What kept me going through this journey is my faith in God, the support from my family and the book The Power of Positive Thinking by Norman Vincent Peale while I was lying in the hospital.”

She said a mind is a powerful tool, nothing is impossible and you can conquer anything you set your mind to.

“In 1997 I was involved in an accident and I had to learn how to walk again, which took me one year and three months and I told myself that if I survived that experience then I can beat cancer too,” she explained.

She has been cancer-free for almost three years; however, she still visits the hospital every six months to be screened.
Matlala is a retired actress and model. She has acted in numerous films and she is better known for her roles in Vicious Circle and Schweitzer where she acted alongside Henry Cele.

She is a motivational speaker and a volunteer at the CanSurvive and Healing and Educating, Addicted Lives (HEAL).

“I joined these two organisations because I realised that there is a need for more people in our communities to educate and provide support for cancer, alcohol, and substance abuse.

“I encourage both women and men to get screened, don’t go through hell when you can get help at an early stage.

“It is also important to live a healthy lifestyle, take care of yourself, talk to your family and friend when you feel like you can’t go on anymore.”

Matlala now harvests her vegetables in her garden at home and she exercises daily.

Check for early warning signs:

Sister Mmatlala Kgatla, from one of the Ekurhuleni clinics, said that people need to constantly observe the changes in their bodies.

“Our body communicates when there is an ailment present, and we need to react by visiting the clinic. Knowing what is normal for your body is important because you will be aware of any changes, and be able to identify some early warning symptoms of cancer,” said Kgatla.

There are different types of cancers affecting men, women and children making it critical for everyone to seek medical attention when not feeling well, as early detection saves lives.

The City of Ekurhuleni’s health facilities offer cancer screening services such as:

• Pap smears – a screening test for early diagnosis of cervical cancer.

• Breast examinations and guide on how to do self-breast examinations.

• Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) – a finger-prick blood test to help detect prostate abnormalities.

• Information on the cancer warning signs for adults and children.

For support join these groups:

• CanSurvive Cancer Support, call or send an SMS to Ronnie Nkabinde on 078 692 4839.

• Wings of Hope, Gwen Janse van Rensburg on 084 817 6572.

• Hospice East Rand also offers individual psychosocial and emotional support to home-based care patients registered with the hospice, contact them on 011 422 1531.

• Or visit the Cansa Survivors – Champions of Hope for cancer Survivors Facebook page (for patients or those in remission).