JESSALYN Goh never imagined facing breast cancer; it was something that happened to other people, not to her or her loved ones. She honestly thought that only overweight men or women who did not take care of their health and diet get cancer.

After all, her family adheres strictly to the food pyramid, and Jessalyn’s mother does not use too much oil, salt, sugar or additional flavouring in her cooking because of all the health risks they pose.

Jessalyn’s family is physically active and they jog in the park every weekend. There are dumbells, a cross-training machine and yoga mats neatly arranged in their living room, too.

So, when her mother was diagnosed with Stage One breast cancer earlier this year, it was a heavy blow to Jessalyn and her family.

“I’ve never known anyone who had breast cancer. I didn’t think that my own mother would be diagnosed with the disease one day.

Kathrin Jothirani Navaretnamoney's close friend was diagnosed with breast cancer at 21.

“To an outsider, we seem like total health freaks who never got sick a day in their lives. My mother’s ordeal taught me that breast cancer could strike anyone, even the healthiest of them all,” says 22-year-old Jessalyn.

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women worldwide; more than a million are newly diagnosed each year and it is the second leading cause of cancer deaths among women. One in 19 Malaysians has breast cancer.

In May 2006, The Pride Foundation was set up to enhance awareness efforts and improve accessibility of treatment and care of breast cancer at all levels of society.

Their efforts are all the more needed because statistics show that nearly 40% of the new cases identified each year were already in the very advanced stages of the disease. Early detection is vital in surviving breast cancer as getting appropriate medical attention can help save lives.

However, it is unfortunate that most of us do not think we are at risk of getting breast cancer. We know about breast self-examination, but do not do it regularly. Jessalyn’s mother was fortunate that she felt a lump on her breast, and got it checked immediately.

As her cancer was in Stage One, the doctors were able to treat it before it spread. Jessalyn, who never used to do breast self-examination, now does it regularly.

She also actively participates in breast cancer awareness programmes and never tires of telling people about the importance of self-breast examination.

“I do it every month and nag my friends to do it as well. My mother, who thankfully is out of the woods, keeps reminding her friends to go for regular check-ups. ‘Never assume you’re healthy because you look good on the outside,’ she says.”

Jessalyn also learned that it is never good to assume anything about breast cancer and the best way to fight it is to equip one’s self with adequate information.

Kathrin Jothirani Navaretnamoney, 24, also actively campaigns for breast cancer awareness. Cancer did not hit her family, but she was just as shaken when she found out that a childhood close friend has been diagnosed with breast cancer.

Early detection for breast cancer and getting appropriate medical attention can help save lives.

When Kathrin found out, she wept.

“When I went to see her, I tried my best to say something positive, hiding the fact that I was scared to death. She was only 21 at the time. I couldn’t believe what was happening. I thought that this was only supposed to happen to married or elderly women,” says the mine geologist.

She admires her friend’s courage in dealing with her illness at an age when her peers are enjoying their college years and partying late into the night.

“I’m so thankful to my friend, for the awareness she has given me. I am very proud of her for deciding to stand up to breast cancer and actively participate in campaigns. I’ve never seen anyone as strong as her,” says Kathrin.

Kathrin’s friend began treatment early and is now cancer-free.

“Breast cancer can happen to anyone. I started reading more articles about it and of course, doing regular breast checks. It definitely changed everything, the way I live my life, what I do, what I say and what I wish for in life.”

To spread awareness, Kathrin has related her friend’s story over and over again to many friends and colleagues, hoping her story will change their lives.

“It’s about time that those affected participate actively in reaching out to the masses, coming out of the shells that some hide themselves in. Their stories will help to save lives, and there’s nothing to be ashamed of. We can start with the ones we love, and from there, spread this awareness around.

Gauri Thanasingam had to deal with breast cancer at 13, when her mother was diagnosed with it.

It was the start of a challenging period for her family as they rallied around her mother.

“She fought hard but it was very difficult to see what she had to go through. She also had to go through breast removal operation. At that time the options were limited and treatment was limited, too. They did not reconstruct her breast and she had to live with that.”

Unfortunately, Gauri’s mother did not survive breast cancer, despite treatments and surgery.

Years have passed and Gauri learnt a lot from her mother’s experience.

“It has made me more aware, to a certain extent. But at the same time, I don’t think about the illness much. I do my self examinations but I tell myself that cancer is not going to dictate my life and thoughts. Plus, today’s modern medicine provides for so much more. And you do hear of people living the life even more after battling the illness.

“I think it should be a combination of things. But I also believe that people should be aware of the various treatments that are now available. For people like me, someone who has lost a family member to cancer, we only associate the old technology to the illness. So the more educated we are, the less fearful we will be. I think testimonials are also very powerful,” says Gauri.

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