JEDDAH — Breast cancer is the second leading cause of death among females around the world, according to various studies. For years, medical practitioners and breast cancer fighters and survivors have hosted worldwide campaigns — online on social media platforms in addition to seminars and conferences — to create awareness about this life-threatening disease. Despite their continuous efforts, there are many who suffer in silence. Breast cancer is a form of cancer that originates from breast tissues. It starts in the cells of the breast as a group of cancer cells, invading the surrounding tissues or sometimes spread (metastasize) to other areas of the body. This abnormal growth of cells forms a mass of tissue, which is called lump or tumor. Tumors are categorized into two types: benign and malignant. Benign tumors are not usually aggressive toward surrounding tissues, but may continue to grow, pressing other organs and causing pain. In this situation, the tumor is removed surgically, eradicating complications and pain. Malignant tumors are aggressive and cancerous, hence damaging the surrounding tissues. Prognosis and survival rates for breast cancer vary greatly depending on the cancer type, stage, treatment, and geographical location of the patient, studies reported. Many factors contribute to the rise of breast cancer, such as age, family history, reproductive history, dense breast tissue, lack of physical activity, poor diet and obesity among others. Many women feel shy or for the sake of their husbands' comfort prefer to keep silence about their pain. But, early detection of breast cancer can not only save money but also time and health of women. Doctors recommend to start the treatment process as soon as the cancer is diagnosed. Saudi Gazette spoke with Pakistani national Mrs.Wali who shared her experience of keeping mum about her breast pain and her endeavors in fighting breast cancer. The 50-year-old breast cancer survivor, who has been living in the Kingdom for more than 15 years, said she was diagnosed with Grade III Invasive Ductul Carcinoma (IDC) six years back. IDC is known to make up 80 percent of all cancer diagnosis, as the abnormal cancer cells begins forming in the milk ducts before it spreads beyond the ducts into other parts of the breast tissue. “There was a tinge of pain in the beginning, but I always ignored it. I never told anyone, not even my husband. Later, the right breast felt stiff, but even then I ignored it,” she said, adding that she is among those women who take their healthy very lightly. Believing that the pain would eventually go away, Mrs.Wali kept enduring the pain in silence until she could no longer bear it. “When the pain grew unbearable, I told my husband.” Mrs.Wali then visited a clinic in her locality for a checkup, where the doctor asked her to get an ultrasound report. “Doctor prescribed painkillers because the ultrasound report did not show anything abnormal. They helped me for time being, but I soon had to revisit the doctor,” she said, adding, “The ache felt like needles inside the breast. I was unable to sleep and forgetting the twinge became impossible.” The doctor then referred her to a hospital mammogram screening. “It was expensive, and we didn't have health insurance in those days; hence the diagnosis was delayed.” Mrs.Wali's then husband decided to take her to Pakistan for treatment. Everyone in her family presumed that it would be breast cancer, but no one had the courage to voice it. In Pakistan, Mrs.Wali visited the best doctors who diagnosed her with cancer in her right breast. The only option was partial mastectomy as the tumor had invaded the nearby tissues. “It was difficult to accept it, but my husband and my family supported me. I weighed the options and concluded that it was much better than the throbbing pain that killed me every night,” she said. After the operation, Mrs.Wali returned to the Kingdom feeling better, but it was only a matter of time before it came back. “It was frightening and painful. Why did the cancer grew back? I kept asking myself the same question. I believed it was time for me to say goodbye. I imagined losing my family forever. I prayed and prayed for it to go away, but it kept growing,” said Mrs. Wali. She again traveled to Pakistan sans husband and children as the the former didn't get a leave and the children had school exams. She was operated again followed by six sessions of chemotherapy and radiations. “Dr. Kamran is an empathizing human being; he suggested that I wear a head scarf permanently even before the chemo in order to avoid questions from people around about my hair fall.” Mrs. Wali said: “It was the most depressing and toughest phase of my life. Relatives empathized only in words, but they never understood what I was going through. I could neither eat nor sleep. I felt stabbing pain during chemo, and not recognizing myself in the mirror created a sense of helplessness and vulnerability. But I never lost hope. I wanted to go back to my family, to my home where my kids were waiting for me. I endured the pain with the hope that my tomorrow would be better than today.” Mrs.Wali then returned back to the Kingdom with her health restored. For the past four years, she is living a happy and healthy life with her family, and thanks and praises Allah abundantly for bestowing her with a new life. She visits her oncologist bi-yearly for full check-ups here under complete health insurance. “Sometimes, I wish I had spoken out when the pain had started. It would have avoided mastectomy. I wish my sisters doesn't do the same, and get the screening done as soon as possible,” she advises.
