Pink Caravan Ride kicks off today
Mum of four had free examination during 2018 Pink Caravan
How early detection helped Filipina, 42, survive breast cancer
If not for early detection and a persistent medical volunteer, Filipina expat Maria Francia Vizcaya, 42, would not have won her battle against breast cancer.
Sharing her story with Gulf News, Maria said: “Two years ago as I was taking my lunch break, a Pink Caravan volunteer
We should not be afraid of breast cancer – it’s not a death sentence. We can beat it. The good news is 98 per cent of breast cancer cases are curable if detected early.”
Maria Vizcaya | Filipina, 42
invited me to their booth in the mall for a free physical examination. I was hesitant at first, but the volunteer was courteously persistent so I gave in,” added Vizcaya, who works as a store manager at a mall in Dubai.
A lump was found on her left breast. It was March 28, 2018 and Vizcaya was found positive of breast cancer Stage 2B.
She was also found positive for BRCA Type 1 or strong hereditary ovarian and breast cancer syndrome. Vizcaya underwent a full left radical mastectomy or removal of her entire left breast tissue. After 45 days of recovering from the operation, she started her chemotherapy.
Vizcaya had to go through six cycles of chemotherapy. The drugs made her lose her hair, but not her willpower.
She said: “My recovery was fast and in between those cycles of chemotherapy, I was able to go to work — it took my mind off my illness and the company of my colleagues and friends gave me strength. Balanced diet and regular physical exercise also helped in my fast recovery,
Vizcaya, a mother of four, was declared cancer-free in January last year. At present, she is undergoing monthly monitoring.
“We should not be afraid of breast cancer — it’s not a death sentence. We can beat it. The good news is 98 per cent of breast cancer cases are curable if detected early,” said Vizcaya, who is also now an active volunteer at Sharjah-based Friends of Cancer that runs the annual Pink Caravan.