Man who survived breast cancer spreads awareness through hike
Uzbek model has one message: Both women and men must get screened regularly
Aman who survived breast cancer took part in an awareness hike through Wadi Shawka in Ras Al Khaimah yesterday to coincide with breast cancer awareness month and the start of the Dubai Fitness Challenge.
“The idea is to give hope for those battling breast cancer and honour the survivors, but my key message is: don’t ignore even the smallest of signs,” said 32-yearold Uzbek male model Maruf Azimov, who was diagnosed with the condition eight years ago.
“I never imagined, that I, as a male, would ever get breast cancer. I had noticed a lump on my left breast for some time. But I ignored it, thinking it might be a side-effect of the medicines I was taking to treat my epilepsy.
“But one day as I woke up and looked at myself in the mirror, I knew this was not looking good. I went to the local doctors. They did a string of tests including a mammogram and ultra sound.”
‘How my wife cried’
The doctor informed him that he had stage two breast cancer that had spread to his lymph nodes.
“When I broke the news to my wife, she cried and refused to believe this was happening to me, but we had to be strong.”
Post surgery and ongoing chemotherapy sessions Azimov decided to move to the UAE to hide the pain he was going through from his parents, who still don’t know of his ordeal.
He did modelling shoots alongside his chemo in Dubai. “I braved through it all. The key was not letting my parents know I had cancer,” he said.
Azimov is now on medication but has been cancer free for three years.
“I want to take the opportunity of the month of October which is dedicated to women mostly to raise awareness aboutbreast cancer. But here I am, a male with breast cancer. So women do your checks regularly and men, you too. Don’t ignore symptoms as breast cancer can happen to anyone.”
Yesterday’s hike was organised by Fatima Deryan, 26, who scaled Mount Everest in May.
“Friday is also the day when the month long Fitness Challenge kicks off in Dubai. But also I want to raise awareness for women to get themselves checked regularly,” she said ahead of the hike.