POLOKWANE – We spoke to 48-year-old Humbulani Virginia Mundalamo, originally from Venda, who lives in the city about her cancer diagnoses and her journey to recovery.
“I didn’t really know much about cancer before my breast cancer diagnosis; I didn’t know the symptoms or how to do self-examinations. I noticed a lump in my breast and at first I thought it wasn’t something serious and would go away. I eventually made an appointment with my doctor who did a biopsy which confirmed that I had breast cancer,” she said.
She added at first she couldn’t believe what the doctor had told her and thought it was a mistake.
“When the doctor gave me the diagnosis I thought he had perhaps made an attempt at a joke, it felt like a dream. Even when I told my family they couldn’t believe the news and they were scared they would lose me. Thankfully with God’s grace who created doctors and gave them the knowledge to fight cancer I managed to beat it. My breast had to be removed and I underwent chemotherapy for six months. Now I am undergoing radiation therapy for six months.”
A wife, mother of three and grandmother of four decided she wants to use her own experience with breast cancer to motivate and inspire others as well as create awareness about the disease and its symptoms.
“I want my experience to inspire others who are going through the same thing. I want to tell them not to be afraid to ask for help. It is a difficult and trying experience and is much less difficult to go through if you have the support of your family and friends. I urge everyone to do regular self-inspections so they can notice changes in their bodies and to go for regular check-ups at their doctor or the clinic. Most importantly, remember, being diagnosed with cancer is not a death sentence; it can be cured if you act before it can spread. As a society we should band together to fight cancer and to educate as many people as possible about the disease,” she concluded.
