Breast cancer survivor drew strength from remaining positive
SANDTON – Cancer survivor and PinkDrive ambassador Cindy Van Wyk struggled with benign cysts on her breasts from a young age.
Cancer survivor and PinkDrive ambassador Cindy van Wyk said that fear becomes an obstacle for many women, preventing them from detecting breast cancer early.
Van Wyk said the ‘what ifs’ of ‘Will my partner desire me? Am I still a woman if I undergo a mastectomy? and ‘What about my family’ become barriers preventing many women from getting screened.
Van Wyk struggled with benign cysts on her breasts from a young age. “At age 26, I had a cyst removed and in my 30s and 40s my cysts would swell and become painful.”
At age 45, she found a protruding lump at the side of her breast but thought it was just another cyst. “I felt mortified when I went for a sonar and found out that I had cancer. It was a late winter afternoon and I remember sitting next to my car and thinking that it has all developed into my greatest fear.
“The realisation that I had cancer went off like an atom bomb in my brain. For days after, my brain was fogged with questions.”
She made the choice to have both her breasts removed and underwent both chemotherapy and radiation, which made her feel incredibly weak.
Losing her hair was a major blow.
“Breast cancer is a vanity cancer,” she explained. “Many women fear that they will be rejected. It is important to know that your worth does not lie in your exterior, despite was magazines say. As women, we condition ourselves to think that we are unworthy if we don’t look like a glamour model. I learnt to love my body the way it is. My femininity does not lie in my outward appearance but within me.
“I forced myself to show up for life. I walked daily and found activities to keep me busy. I never gave up.”
She chose to view her journey with cancer as an endurance sports event. “Don’t try to do it on your own. Allow friends to draw alongside you and do activities together. You must reach out for help.”
Van Wyk said her faith, family and friends helped her to overcome the obstacles.
Six years later, she is a PinkDrive ambassador who has grown to become grateful for the simple things in life.
She advises all women to conduct regular self-examinations, know their breasts, watch for any changes and visit a doctor to discuss any concerns.
For more information, visit www.pinkdrive.co.za
Related article:
https://www.citizen.co.za/sandton-chronicle/239570/pink-drive-turns-10/
https://www.citizen.co.za/sandton-chronicle/133757/totalsports-womens-race-raises-funds-for-pinkdrive/
