Organisations and healthcare facilities put a lot into awareness campaigns annually as there are still a lot of misconceptions and stigma attached to the disease.

Despite all the resources that are available, nothing can really prepare you for the reality of a cancer diagnosis. This is what Sunnette Hiten learned when she was diagnosed with breast cancer. OFM News spoke to the married mother of two who recalls not knowing how to react to the news of her breast cancer diagnosis.

“It was quite a shock because I am the first person in my family to get cancer. Telling them was not easy, because how do you do it? Where do you start? All these things go through your mind,” said Hitten. Being a mother of two daughters, she became concerned about the possibility that her daughters might also develop cancer.

Hitten described undergoing treatment as an ongoing challenge. She had a lumpectomy, which is a surgery to remove a cancer lump from the breast, and had to undergo both chemotherapy and radiation which had serious side effects. Not only was the treatment hard on her health, but it also had an impact on her everyday life. Having to go to work added to the strain she was under as she also had to deal with hair loss, fatigue, and forgetfulness which affected her confidence.

“I work with a lot of people. It was difficult to stand in front of a crowd of people. I was so nervous to do presentations,” she added. She credits her family’s support as something that was and still is very vital in her fight with breast cancer. “My husband helped me a lot, especially when I had chemotherapy. I couldn’t do much. There was a week when I could do nothing. He helped around the house. My daughter would take leave from work just to be with me,” she said emotionally. “Now I look back and I believe I am a stronger person. Maybe there was a reason I had to go through all of that.”

Hitten is still on medication, with side effects which continue to affect her, but she is doing the best she can to continue fighting and has even started providing support for those who have been recently diagnosed with cancer. She offered words of encouragement to those who are battling with cancer. “Talk about it. Don’t keep it inside. That is what helped me.”

OFM News