Breast cancer survivor speaks out

“AT first I was devastated, scared and numb,” recalls Christina Muzanenhamo.

“The thoughts of death became my nightmares. “I was just 30 years old, my eldest child was 18 and the youngest had turned six years.

“But now it is 20 years since then and I am now a grandmother of eight. “I am a survivor.” Mrs Muzanenhamo of Msasa Park, Harare, was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1997.

In an interview last week, the grandmother said in the early stages, the thought of the disease and fending for her young children triggered a depression.

Mrs Muzanenhamo remembers vividly the first day she felt a lump in her left breast while seated at home after a long day at work.

After two weeks, the lump had not disappeared.

She then confided in her husband, Mr Goodman Muzanenhamo, who advised her to seek medical attention.

“I had a biopsy, results confirmed I had breast cancer and the lump had to be removed,” says Mrs Mquzanenhamo.

“I cried uncontrollably for weeks in the absence of my family because I had not told anyone of my condition, including Mr Muzanenhamo.

“After gathering some courage, I told my husband who encouraged me to follow what the doctor had prescribed.”

In the midst of her darkest hours, Mrs Muzanenhamo says she knew the best option was to accept her condition and soldier on.

In October of 1997, her left breast was removed. Its removal was a blessing in disguise. The doctors told her the cancer was still in its first stage and could be treated.

“It is God’s will that I am still alive,” says Mrs Muzanenhamo.

“I might describe myself as a survivor, but if I recount the year 1997, I feel like crying.

“It was a painful one for me and my family.

“I kept asking myself - why has this happened to me?

“But again I would find comfort in the Lord and that my condition was God’s doing.”

Mrs Muzanenhamo recalls the pain of undergoing chemotherapy and radiotherapy sessions after the removal of the cancerous breast.

“The effects of chemotherapy and radiotherapy took a toll on me.

“My hair and nails fell off, my palms and feet turned grey whilst my body changed colour to pitch black,” explains Mrs Muzanenhamo.

“But the support of my husband and my children kept me going.

“Going through cancer treatment requires a lot of strength - physically, emotionally and mentally.

“It dawned to me that it was important to have people by your side, especially in difficult times.

“I previously thought being diagnosed with breast cancer would be the end, but that perception has changed.”

Mrs Muzanenhamo resorted to annual medical check-ups to counter the effects of chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

The strong belief in medical treatment and its success in her case has seen Mrs Muzanenhamo advising cancer patients to seek scientific interventions ahead of untested traditional herbs

Mr Muzanenhamo says he supported his wife throughout the painful period.

“It was a hard time for me as a husband but I didn’t want to show her I was hurting. I just had to be strong for her and our children,” recalls Mr Muzanenhamo.

“Instead, I hid my pain by encouraging her that everything was going to be fine.

“I was afraid that I was going to lose her and constantly thought of how I would raise the children alone.”

Sadly, due to the myths and misconceptions surrounding cancers, many people continue to die despite the fact that most cancers are treatable.

According to the latest Zimbabwe National Cancer Registry (2013), breast cancer accounts for 7 percent of cancers among all races.

The same registry shows that new cancers in that year were 6 548 with 2 062 succumbing to the disease.

Statistics indicate that one in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer during her lifetime.

Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer mortality among women and is rare in men.

Symptoms of breast cancer include a lump in the breast, bloody discharge from the nipple and changes in the shape or texture of the nipple or breast.

Experts say females in the 20 to 74 age group are at risk of breast cancer.

The disease can be a result of genetics, family history, dense breast tissue, oestrogen exposure, obesity, alcohol consumption, radiation exposure and hormone treatments, among others.