Cancer survivors empowered by sharing their stories

Moms who have been cancer-free for 10 years have called for the screening age to be lowered and to be taken to schools to save more lives.

At a cancer event held at Acacia Park in Philippi East on Saturday October 8, the cancer survivors, most of whom were dressed in pink, urged others with cancer - or who have overcome it - to share their stories for the benefit of others.

Most speakers at a cancer day event revealed that many may have kept it secret due to the stigma surrounding the illness, particularly in the black community.

They said many may be battling the disease behind closed doors for years for fear of victimisation and the survivors agreed that they felt empowered after finally telling their stories in public.

Joyce Pasiya-Witbooi said it was so important to use their voices and experiences to educate others that cancer is curable.

She admitted, however, that she had been scared after her cancer diagnosis 10 years ago. “I had a 14-year-old boy at the time. My worry was him. I thought I would die before he went for his passage of manhood. But I was assured that the cancer is curable. Here I am today living life. So people need to come and be positive,” she told Vukani.

She said when she felt a lump in her breast she never thought that could be cancer. But after her diagnosis, she stuck to her treatment. “With the help of my former work colleagues I received treatment. My colleagues and family supported me. I am now among the living testimonies that will always tell people that cancer does not kill. There is life after cancer,” she said.

Another survivor who was equally proud to testify and shared her life experience was Simanye Fibi who said sharing her story had been “one of the most empowering moments of my life”.

She shared how many of her family members had died of cancer. “But no one believed that they died of cancer. My grandma, aunty, uncle and my father all died of cancer. But we were told they died of a big septic wound. That’s all we knew,” she said.

But when she was diagnosed and was told she might have inherited it from the family, she said, “the world shattered”.

She told Vukani: “I cried. I was angry. We believed that we were bewitched. I found out later that those who died, died of cancer.”

But like many others who have survived the illness, she turned her attention to her treatment with the help of others. She encouraged others to live their lives to the fullest. “You do not own cancer, fight it. We need support from our families, friends and colleagues. We need love. That is all people that are diagnosed with the disease need,” said Ms Fibi.

The survivors praised the community of Acacia for trying to make a change in the community by organising the event.

The street committee which organised the event, said they were proud of the work they had done to make a change.

Street committee chairperson Mandisa Mbulawo had gone as far as going to people’s homes to urge them to get checked if notice changes in their bodies.

“Some people are sitting at home suffering from fear of the stigma. We need to support and encourage those who might have cancer to live life to the fullest. They need support from us, families, friends and partners. But if you don't speak out, take your medication correctly,” she said.

She also called on men to get tested.

To this effect, Mzwandile Ngcayichibi: “It does not only affect women but men too. We might all be having it. There’s colon cancer, leukaemia, prostate and others. We need to encourage men to check their status too.”