BY LINDELWA MYENI
MBABANE— Cancer survivors Zamekile Mdluli and Sisana Nxumalo have called on Emaswati to prioritise regular screening, early detection and self-care as the country commemorates Breast Cancer Awareness Month, sharing their personal cancer journeys on the Kusile Breakfast Show today.
The two survivors, who have overcome breast and cervical cancer respectively, used the platform to encourage women to pay attention to changes in their bodies, seek medical attention when necessary and remain committed to regular health check-ups.
Mdluli, who was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2019, said she initially feared for her life and worried about leaving her child behind when she received the diagnosis.
“When I found out in 2019, I thought everything was over. Will I die and leave my kid?” she recalled.CANCER SURVIVORS MARK BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH WITH CALL FOR EARLY DETECTION
She said her journey towards recovery involved surgery followed by chemotherapy, with treatment beginning in 2019 and ending in 2020.
Although chemotherapy was physically draining, Mdluli said the support she received helped her maintain a positive outlook throughout the experience.
“Chemo is very draining but I survived. I never lost my spark, I think it’s because of the support I got,” she said.
Mdluli explained that she had not been someone who regularly went for medical check-ups but was attentive to changes in her body. She noticed that her breasts were no longer the same size and that the lumps were uneven, although she experienced no pain.
She encouraged women not to ignore unusual changes, emphasising that taking responsibility for one’s health should be a priority.
“Choose yourself first. Go to doctors and report everything. Love your body and go for regular screening,” she said.
Meanwhile, Nxumalo, a cervical cancer survivor, said her diagnosis came during one of her routine hospital visits, as she had been going for check-ups every six months.
She recalled experiencing panic and emotional distress after learning that she had cancer, as she initially associated the diagnosis with death.
However, she said the support she received from her family played an important role in helping her navigate the experience and remain committed to her treatment.
“I had full support from family that went beyond accepting. I then did everything the doctor instructed me to do and went on with my treatment,” she said.
Nxumalo said the physical effects of treatment were particularly challenging, as she lost considerable weight and struggled to keep food in her stomach after starting medication.
“The hardest part physically is that I was drained in weight. When I started the medication I couldn’t keep anything to the stomach. Emotionally it was better because I had support from family. Support is very vital when you have cancer,” she said.
Nxumalo said she had not experienced obvious symptoms before her diagnosis, apart from irregular periods, highlighting the importance of attending medical check-ups even when one feels healthy.
She said she now continues with regular check-ups and has become more conscious of taking care of her body, including her sexual health, personal hygiene and the products she uses.
Although doctors have informed her that there is a possibility of the cancer returning, Nxumalo said she has chosen to remain positive and concentrate on her well-being.
“Love yourself as a girl. Always know what’s going on in your body. Do screening. That way, there are more chances of surviving,” she said.
Through their experiences, the two survivors highlighted the importance of early detection, adherence to medical advice and emotional support in helping cancer patients through treatment and recovery.
Their message serves as a reminder during Breast Cancer Awareness Month that prioritising personal health, recognising unusual changes and seeking timely medical attention can make an important difference.
#BreastCancerAwareness #CancerAwareness #EarlyDetection #RegularScreening #CancerSurvivors
(Courtesy Pic)
