Mary Moodley Clinic highlights breast cancer

To highlight the importance of self-examination nurses Poonam Paima and Lynette Bhagwanth gave a five-step demonstration on how it should be done and encouraged the women in the room to join them.

November 5, 2021

Terry-Ann Diergaardt 1 minute read

Dr Yakira Mishan spoke about the importance of early detection.

Aggressive cancer, radiation, hair loss and death were all images that played in the theatre of her mind as Shirian James prepared herself for the journey of surviving cancer.

The 48-year-old shared her story of hope with a room filled with an attentive audience, who attended the Mary Moodley Clinic’s Breast Cancer Awareness Campaign recently.

James was diagnosed with stage four breast cancer in 2016. The experience had not only changed her perspective on life, but also ensured she fought to beat it for her son’s sake, who was only 12 years old at the time.

“The news turned my world upside down. Cancer sucked me into a dark place and took so much from me mentally and physically,” she explained.

“As I went through all the chemotherapy sessions, I kept thinking about how I could have a positive outlook on life but at the same time I would think that this would be the last time I would be able to wash my hair.”

As she elaborated on her daily struggles, she concluded by saying she now sees herself as a beautiful warrior and encouraged all the women in the room to go for a regular checkup and not to lose hope.

During the awareness campaign, Dr Yakira Mishan emphasised that early detection is the best method to treat cancer, as people find out when it is too late and nothing can be done.

She explained that one of three methods will be used for early diagnoses:

• Self-examination
• Ultrasounds or mammograms
• Pathology reports

“Breast cancer is treatable through surgery, medication and chemotherapy if it is detected early,” she explained.

To highlight the importance of self-examination, nurses Poonam Paima and Lynette Bhagwanth gave a five-step demonstration on how it should be done and encouraged the women in the room to join them.

Bhagwanth advised that examinations should be done 10 days before or after your menstrual cycle.

Women left the room well informed on the dangers of cancer. They were encouraged to dance and have a light meal before they left to lighten their moods after the heavy subject they were educated on.