I’m here to tell you that a cancer diagnosis is not a death sentence. I’ll tell you again and again until you believe me. Cancer can be treated and cured, especially when diagnosed early. Even here in Zambia. Especially here in Zambia.
Too often, women tell me they don’t want to go for cervical cancer screening because they “just don’t want to know.” Cancer means death, and they’d rather not know if they’re going to die.
To empower women to fight cervical cancer, we must correct the misconception “cancer means death.” I’d like to introduce you to an amazing woman, Loice, who’s speaking out to correct this misconception. Here’s what she has to say:
“I was diagnosed with stage 2B cervical cancer in 2010, somewhere between September and October. I was having terrible lower abdominal pains, especially during my period, which left me bedridden for three or four days at a time. Each month, I go to the ARV clinic for my medications. Often, the peer educators give health talks to patients while they’re waiting for their names to be called, on topics like adherence. One month, the peer educators were teaching about cervical cancer, and I decided to go for screening. My screening result did not come out well, and the nurse referred me to the local hospital for a biopsy. At the hospital, the doctor told me I had stage 2B cervical cancer.
As you know, cancer treatment is not easy, but one has to be positive if one wants to be well. I did radiation therapy for six week and two chemotherapy sessions. The treatment was tough, but I was also tough with it, because I wanted to get better. People at the compound where I live discouraged me from treatment, and told me rumors about radiation treatment and chemotherapy. But I wanted to live, to get better, and I knew I wanted to get the treatment.
I recently returned to the clinic for screening, and I’m happy to report that the treatment worked and I’m fine.
I would advise all women, regardless of age, to go and have themselves checked for cervical cancer. Cancer is a number one killer of women in Zambia. But, cancer in Zambia is also curable, manageable, and treatable. We have all the equipment and qualified doctors needed to manage the illness. So don’t just stay at home and say, “I’ll go for screening later.” Cancer often doesn’t have symptoms, especially in the early stages. You can only know you are sick when you are checked.”
Thanks to Loice for sharing her to story to correct the myth that cancer means death. (Photo: myself and Loice)
