Limelight

Cancer – A word that strikes fear on almost everyone. And I am one of the unfortunate ones – I was diagnosed with cancer of the uterus two years ago.

Before cancer, I led a happy carefree life. Junk food was my vice. I stayed up late till the wee hours of the night and had very little rest. These unhealthy habits were taking their toll on my body.

In June 2005, symptoms of poor health began to show. I experienced a few episodes of heavy menstruation – blood gushed out whenever I sat or laid down to rest. The flow was heavy and accompanied by clots. As a result of the heavy blood loss, I fainted twice. I knew something was very wrong and I decided to visit my gynaecologist immediately.

He performed a scan which detected multiple fibroids in my uterus. These growths were just slightly smaller than the size of a tennis ball. He advised me to have them removed as soon as possible. I did not have time to think – everything happened too fast, from ward admission to the surgery. It was like a real roller-coaster ride.

During the operation, my gynaecologist found some cancerous cells within the uterus. These illusive cells were hidden from view. For fear that the cancer cells would spread, he had no choice but to remove my uterus in the bid to save my life.

I was shocked and horrified! I could not believe my ears when I was told I have cancer. I was not quite prepared to receive the news… My mind went blank, and I broke down and wept in silence. My happy carefree life is now rudely interrupted by this dreadful illness. I was very upset and despaired. I kept thinking about it for the longest time. That was the bleakest moment of my life. I searched for answers and started praying very hard for God's guidance.

Fortunately, there was still hope. The cancer was found to be in an early stage and I was treated successfully with chemotherapy and radiotherapy. That was two years ago.

Now, I look after my health and take my doctors' advice seriously. I keep to my doctors' appointments and changed my unhealthy lifestyle by following a strict diet, exercising regularly, taking more rest, and eating less junk food.

Go for early screening – early detection of cancer can save your life. It certainly did for me.