Prisca, Kenya
Cancer Turned My World Upside Down
It started on an ordinary day when I felt a strange lump in my breast. At first, I brushed it off—thinking it was nothing. But a nagging feeling wouldn’t let me rest, so I went for a check-up. Those words, “It’s breast cancer”, felt like a heavy blow. I was only 44, full of dreams and plans, and suddenly my life revolved around tests, scans, and medical terms I never thought I’d have to learn.
The first challenge was accepting it. I didn’t feel sick—I didn’t look sick. Yet, there it was: cancer, a battle I hadn’t signed up for. Fear crept in, but so did a fierce determination—I wasn’t ready to give up on life.
Treatment: The Fight Begins
Surgery left me lopsided. Chemotherapy was grueling. I lost my hair, my energy, and at times, my willpower. Each session drained me physically and emotionally, but I kept going. Radiation followed, burning my skin but bringing me one step closer to healing. The hardest part? Watching my family suffer alongside me—they wanted to help, but this was a battle I had to fight from within.
There were days I cried myself to sleep, days I questioned why this happened to me. But through it all, I found strength in the smallest things—a smile from a nurse, a hug from a friend, the warmth of sunlight on my face.
Support: My Greatest Weapon
I learned to lean on people. Support groups became my second home, where fellow warriors shared their stories and gave me hope. My loved ones never let me forget who I was beyond the diagnosis—a fighter, a dreamer, someone with a future worth fighting for.
Remission: A New Chapter
After years of treatment and endless prayers, I finally heard the word I’d been longing for—remission. It didn’t mean life was back to normal; it meant I had a second chance. I still deal with the scars, both physical and emotional. Follow-up appointments are part of my routine, but I’m alive, I’m here, and I’m grateful.I’ve now become a cancer advocate, dedicated to supporting fellow warriors, sharing hope, and raising awareness to help others on their journey
My Message
To anyone going through this journey: you are not alone. Cancer may try to take over your life, but it doesn’t define who you are. Stay hopeful, stay brave, and never stop believing in tomorrow.
This World Cancer Day, I celebrate not just my survival, but the strength of everyone fighting this battle. Together, we can raise awareness, offer support, and bring hope to those who need it most.
#WorldCancerDay #BreastCancerSurvivor #CloseTheCareGap #CancerWarrior #NeverGiveUp #CancerAwareness #HopeLives