EARLY detection and seeking urgent medical attention is one key to beating cancer.
This is according to Richards Bay cancer survivor, Joy Randall who has been in remission for 11 years after a mastectomy to treat her breast cancer.
The 68-year-old Aquadene resident was speaking on World Cancer Day on Tuesday and shared her story as a cancer survivor.
She has lost her two sisters, a daughter and close friends to cancer, but has never lost hope in the belief that self breast examinations and mammograms have an important role to play in overcoming the disease.
Hailing from a family affected by cancer, when Randall discovered the lump in her breast in 2003, she acted immediately and sought medical advice.
‘I was fortunate the breast cancer was in the early stages and not the aggressive type.
I underwent surgery and have had no recurrence since.
‘I always encourage women to have regular mammograms and if you discover lumps during self examinations, visit the doctor immediately.
‘This disease affects all ages and testing must start at a young age. My daughter was only 30 years old when she passed away with breast cancer.
‘Cancer has taken loved ones from me but I am grateful that I can share my experience with others and encourage women to take care of their health,’ she said.
Randall said thanks to the advancement of technology and treatment, cancer can be managed more effectively and she welcomed the opening of the state-of-the-art oncology centre at Richards Bay Medical Institute which was needed in this region.
