Warriors with a Purpose concludes Cancer Awareness Month in Parktown

It is recommended that when one discovers a lump in their breast, they seek medical attention as soon as possible. In closing Cancer Awareness Month, the Warriors with a Purpose held a Breast Cancer Awareness event at Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital on October 31.

Keynote speaker Colleen Burger said in the case of breast cancer, if you lose your breast, it is considered to be an amputation because this is a body part that you were born with. But when a body part no longer serves you, it needs to go, she said. She recommended that people on medical aid have a mammogram at the age of 40, and if using a public hospital, then you can go in at any given time to be checked out and obtain medical advice. “Do not wait until it is too late because if breast cancer goes undetected or undiagnosed then it spreads to other parts of the body. There are certain circumstances where people have to undergo this aggressive treatment. Eat healthy, take the right amount of water and exercise,” said Burger.

Founder of Warriors with a Purpose Rene Singh said she was diagnosed with invasive lobular carcinoma after her husband discovered a lump on her left breast. “My son took me to the doctor and the lumps were confirmed. Then I went to Helen Joseph Breast Clinic. At the time, they did an ultra-sound, a mammogram and the doctor called the other doctor for a second opinion, which confirmed that I would have to have a biopsy done immediately,” Singh recounted.

She said when the biopsy, which is a very painful procedure, was done on May 4, 2017, she was diagnosed with invasive lobular carcinoma breast cancer. Ever since then, Singh underwent treatment, chemotherapy, radiation and mastectomy. In 2018, she was declared in remission which means she is free of cancer.

Cheryl Pillay, whose sister died of cancer in October, said the Tania Hansrod (TH) project [named after her sister] was started by Hansrod who after being diagnosed with cancer decided to do something for others. “We use this TH project to drive the message of hope.”

Julia Moabelo, who was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2020, said she was supposed to start treatment in 2022 but the Charlotte Maxeke Hospital’s oncology ward burnt down. “I am still a patient and my last radiation was in August. I then decided not to just sit and wallow but joined Warriors with a Purpose so I can give support to others.”

More cancer survivors shared their journeys as well as words of encouragement at the event.

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