Breast cancer survivors gathered at Del Forno at Mall@Carnival on October 31 to discuss their experiences of surviving cancer and life after treatment.

There were expert speakers, sponsored gifts, and a delicious breakfast to celebrate women who have fought the hardest battle and won.

Gugulethu Msimanga, founder of The Embraced Woman NPO, organised the event. This event, titled ‘Her Seat @ the Pink Table’, was an opportunity for women who survived breast cancer to gain support among peers and learn more about what the rest of their lives may look like.

While successful cancer treatment can eliminate malignant cell growth, the aggressive nature of these treatments can permanently alter a patient’s body, especially if the treatment involves surgery.

Those diagnosed with breast cancer, including both women and men, are not necessarily safe after successful treatment. Cancer can return, sometimes more aggressive than before.

Although the risk of cancer returning decreases over time, it is never zero. Likewise, while the risk of developing cancer may be low for some, it is also never zero.

Breast Health Foundation
Speaker Ouma Mamatela from the Breast Health Foundation emphasised the importance of continued and frequent self-examinations and annual imaging tests.

She also explained during the question-and-answer session that some side effects of chemotherapy and radiation therapy can be permanent. These include changes in sex drive, hair texture and volume, oral health, and even memory and cognition.

“Just because you experience these changes and no longer have one or both of your breasts does not mean you are no longer a woman. You are and will always be a woman,” she said.

The Breast Health Foundation helps survivors and patients cope with changes like this, providing expert psychosocial support from qualified counsellors who are also breast cancer survivors.

The foundation has partnered with the Helen Joseph Breast Clinic at Helen Joseph Hospital in Johannesburg, which offers excellent breast care facilities headed by Dr Carol Benn and Dr Sarah Rayne.

Consultation fees are scaled according to patients’ income and medical aid status, and the clinic addresses all breast health-related issues, not just cancer.

Personal stories
Sister Queen Bhanda, a nurse at Pholosong Hospital, provided breast health education and shared her story as a breast cancer survivor. She was diagnosed in 2015 and had no early warning signs

“I just had a sudden pain while I was studying for nursing, and initial examinations showed nothing. I had to miss classes and exams for medical visits, and when diagnosed, I felt like I was going to die,” she said.

“I was crying in the taxi all the way from Kwa-Thema to Duduza. I did not want to talk to anyone. I thought my life was over, but when you are at your lowest, God is there,” she continued.

Queen felt like there were no survivors at the end of a breast cancer journey, but she started with treatment anyway. Working in a state hospital as a student, she had medical aid, which only covered two rounds of chemotherapy.

A sponsor covered the other rounds. Due to the support of family, friends, sponsors, and medical staff, she is now cancer-free and healthy enough to no longer need medication.

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The Embraced Woman
Gugulethu was inspired to use her platform with The Embraced Woman NPO for breast cancer awareness due to the loss of her friend and colleague to the disease.

“We didn’t know until she passed. If the stigma didn’t exist and she had a platform to speak up, she might have gotten help sooner and survived,” she said.

The Embraced Woman serves as that platform – not only for breast cancer awareness, but also for the connection and empowerment of all women. On November 8, they planned a ‘Padel Sisterhood Retreat Match’ at Tulee Padel.

“The purpose of the retreat was to unwind and celebrate the end of the year. We recognise both big and small wins, and it’s a fun way for everyone to relax, connect, and enjoy some friendly competition,” said Gugulethu.

Follow The Embraced Woman on Instagram @theembracedwoman_npo for announcements about future events and the sponsors of each empowering, community-building activity.