Breast cancer survivor grateful for family support, urges women to stay hopeful

ANY woman diagnosed with breast cancer undoubtedly faces a difficult reality.

Although former dentist Linda Pereira initially felt as if she were at death’s door upon receiving her breast cancer diagnosis in 2006, she now maintains a more positive outlook and leads a peaceful life with her husband and two daughters.

The breast cancer survivor from Sabah expressed gratitude for the unwavering support she received from her husband and children as she navigated challenging moments of her breast cancer treatment, especially while she was serving in Sarawak.

“Initially, I felt panicked and shocked, crying almost every day, particularly because my children were still young at the time,” Pereira said, as reported by BK.

“However, I was fortunate to receive consistent advice and support from my husband and family.

“After undergoing a mammogram and receiving the biopsy results confirming cancer cells in my left breast, I was advised to seek treatment in Kuala Lumpur, starting from 2009.”

Pereira, 62, was speaking to reporters after the launch of the sixth phase of Etiqa’s free mammogram programme in collaboration with National Cancer Society of Malaysia (NCSM) in Ipoh, Perak.

The launch was officiated by Raja Permaisuri of Perak Tuanku Zara Salim.

Pereira said the surgery to remove cancer cells from her left breast was successful.

She underwent several radiotherapy sessions and now requires regular annual check-ups at the hospital.

“I urge women diagnosed with cancer to stay positive and not lose hope easily,” she said.

“Having cancer is not the end of life. It requires undergoing treatment sessions as prescribed by the doctor.”

Pereira has joined Pink Unity, under the auspices of NCSM.

It is a women’s cancer support group in Malaysia, with the mission of uniting female cancer patients and newly diagnosed cancer patients to fight against cancer.

NCSM managing director Assoc Prof Dr M. Murallitharan said a total of 27,500 women from Perak, Johor, Kuala Lumpur, Melaka, Pahang, Kelantan, Terengganu, Penang, Kedah and Negri Sembilan had undergone free mammogram screenings since 2017.

“In the fifth phase, Etiqa also donated a health truck, also known as the National Etiqa Mobile Screening Clinic, to NCSM,” Dr Murallitharan said in his speech.

“The health truck managed by NCSM has to date successfully screened over 50,000 individuals for breast, cervical and prostate cancer.”