Karla Michelle
MEXICO CITY, MEXICO

I was born on the July 27, 1980, in Mexico City. However, both my mother and father are from Oaxaca City. I studied Psychology at the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) and have worked with women on gender issues.

In 2007, I offered a workshop on loss and gains in the course of our lives, and the ways to accept them; I never thought about the myriad unexpected losses for me. That year was to be my year: on the 27th day of the 7th month of 2007, I would be 27. So I thought: I will win the lottery.

In December of that year, I found out that a tumor had invaded a large part of my right breast. Medical negligence prevented me from getting a prompt diagnosis, partly because of my young age. At the time, I could only feel anger, sadness, fear, pain, and melancholy. The treatment involved surgery, and also resulted in my losing hair and eyelashes. In addition to these physical changes, I also had to deal with my changing self-image. The only option was to fight and look for the gains. Today I have found them: I did win the lottery-the lottery of life. I‘ve grown. Today, my life has a different meaning. I know the way and I walk it. I hug the people I love, support the ones I don’t know, and help create awareness for those women who think it won’t happen to them. Cancer changed me, yes. I think I was close to death, but now I am committed to living: for myself and for others.

Esther Casanova Padilla
MEXICO CITY, MEXICO

Esther is a psychologist, feminist, and for more than 15 years, an energetic advocate in the fight against breast cancer. Only later did she become a breast cancer survivor.

Esther was one of the first breast cancer advocates to engage with the Global Initiative in Mexico. Her organization, CIMAS (Interdisciplinary Center of Women in Action for Health), provides routine pap smears, engages in mammography screening campaigns and raising awareness in underserved populations. Esther founded CIMAS with Martha Valtierra, another participant in the Course for the Cure™. Together they established an NGO that specializes in ensuring that women get the best possible healthcare. They have also engaged in several social advocacy campaigns in Mexico City, including diversity issues.

Gladys Tawiah Boaten
GHANA

I was diagnosed with breast cancer in November 1999 in Accra. I went to see a doctor for a pain around my waist. The doctor decided to do a thorough general examination on me when he didn’t find anything wrong with my waist. He noticed a raised spot on my breast like a mosquito bite. I didn’t have a lump.

A biopsy was taken and the results confirmed that I had breast cancer. I was scared because I didn’t know anyone who had survived the disease. The doctor suggested I should have mastectomy, so arrangements were made for me to have it done in South Africa because that was where my family could be with me. Before I left, I went to Korle-Bu and I met Dr. Clegg-Lamptey, who really explained the disease and treatment modalities to me, which significantly raised my confidence.

In South Africa, I had a successful surgery and received good care from the doctors and nurses. Some of my lymph nodes were removed and the doctor said one of the nodes was affected. Another patient next to me told me that it meant the cancer had spread to other organs in my body, so my initial fear returned. Luckily, while I was still admitted, I had a visit from a volunteer from Reach for Recovery, South Africa, who was a nine-year survivor and she really gave me hope. She invited me to their meetings and when I interacted with other survivors, it gave me the assurance that I can also make it. I knew that there was no support group like that in Ghana, so I decided to start such a support group for women in Ghana with the support of Dr. Clegg-Lamptey, who is now the board chairman of Reach for Recovery, Ghana.

Ms. Howaida Hafez
EGYPT

Howaida’s story with breast cancer started nineteen years ago when her mother was diagnosed with the disease. Sadly, she died four years later after much suffering. Eleven years after her mother’s death, Howaida herself was diagnosed with breast cancer. At that time, she felt like the world had stopped and she only had a few days to live.

She underwent three surgeries until her breast was completely removed. Today, she has recovered and maintains regular check-ups.Throughout this whole ordeal, Howaida visited the Holy Land, where she drank Zamzam water and prayed to God. Howaida also started to write many stories for children about human rights, including “Color Your Life,” a story about how to beat cancer, for which she won a United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) prize. Howaida is currently partnering with the Breast Cancer Foundation of Egypt (BCFE) to organize the first Egyptian Race for the Cure around the Pyramids of Giza.

Dr. Soheir Mokabel
EGYPT

Dr. Soheir has been a professional nurse for the past 45 years. She received her basic nursing education at the University of Alexandria-Egypt and completed her graduate work at UCLA. She worked as a professor of nursing at various universities and as a consultant for several national, regional, and international organizations, including the World Health Organization and the United Nations Development Programme.

At the age of 61, Dr. Soheir was diagnosed with breast cancer. Surgery and hormonal therapy were her treatments of choice. She elected to undergo a bilateral mastectomy and was able to go back to work within two weeks of surgery. During the first year of her illness, she suffered a certain amount of uncertainty about her treatment, including its long-term effects, as well as anxiety about the future and possibility of new symptoms. Throughout her ordeal, she learned to seek help from specialists, life-long friends, and close family members; they all helped her copewith her fears. Dr. Soheir completed her therapy one year ago and is happy and healthy.

Mrs. Sahar Sarwat
EGYPT

Sahar Sarwat is an Egyptian breast cancer survivor. In 2003, she was diagnosed by chance during a doctor’s visit concerning a cough. She decided to go get a chest x-ray. When the medical staff asked if she wanted a chest x-ray or a mammogram, she said, “Why not both?” Sahar’s mother had breast cancer in 1970, making her a nearly 40-year survivor, while her maternal aunt lost her life to the disease.

Sahar left the lab that day with a diagnosis of breast cancer. Two days later, she had a mastectomy and after recovery, went to France for radiotherapy and chemotherapy. At the time, she remembers thinking that she had two options: to fall apart and give in to the disease or to be strong and fight it. Sahar made a conscious choice to be like her mother and fight breast cancer. Sahar had a recurrence in the higher lymph nodes in July of 2008, and once again traveled to France to undergo radiotherapy. She continues to have regular check-ups and tests. Sahar has also become an advocate for breast health awareness and volunteers with the Breast Cancer Foundation of Egypt (BCFE) on a variety of activities, including one-on-one support to recently diagnosed women. She holds a B.A. in German Language and Literature from Cairo University.

Mrs. Faiza Abdel Khalick
EGYPT

Faiza Abdel Khalick not only helps those affected by cancer, but she is also a survivor. The youngest of five sisters, she was diagnosed with breast cancer in July of 1991. Three days after her diagnosis, she had a mastectomy, followed by twenty-five radiotherapy sessions. Subsequently, she has had six cycles of chemotherapy and five years of Tamoxifin.

While undergoing chemotherapy treatment, one of her sisters was diagnosed with breast cancer. Unfortunately, her sister passed away in 1994 after a severe battle with the disease. Then in 1996, another sister was also diagnosed with breast cancer; she is also a breast cancer survivor.

Faiza has 28 years of experience as a Financial Comptroller and Operations Manager. Her main affiliation is with Friends of Children with Cancer, which is an Egyptian NGO. Faiza is also the Co-Founder of HOPE Egypt Breast Health Programs, created in 2004. HOPE Egypt introduced the first facilitated, self-help support groups in Egypt for breast cancer patients and their families. She became a founding board member in 1992 and today she is responsible for the NGO's treasury-related matters. In addition, she is co-coordinator of the Health & Hope Oasis Project, which is a supportive care center for children in cancer treatment. The center provides nutritional and emotional support to the children and their families.

Siham Ahmad Abubaker
JORDAN

Four years ago, Siham Ahmad Abubaker found a painless mass in her left breast. And was subsequently diagnosed with breast cancer. She underwent a mastectomy and suffered through chemotherapy and radiation.

While receiving radiation therapy in the United States, she met a support group that understood what she was going through. The group helped her get through the pain that she was feeling being separated from her children. After returning to Jordan, she joined the SANAD support group. Through the SANAD group, and using her personal experience with breast cancer, she learned to help cancer patients through their journeys. The SANAD group holds fundraisers, including bake sales, and the proceeds help to buy wigs for women who have lost their hair. The SANAD group also raises awareness about the disease in hopes that women get screened because early detection could save their lives.

Dr. Samia Al-Amoudi
SAUDI ARABIA

Dr. Al-Amoudi is an Associate Professor at King Abdulaziz University (KAU) in Jeddah and a Consultant Obstetrician Gynecologist. She also holds the scientific chair for breast cancer at KAU.  In April of 2006, she was diagnosed with breast cancer and is still in treatment.

She was the first Saudi to share her personal battle with the disease, breaking the silence by speaking out about its impact. In March of 2009, Al Arabiya News aired Break the Silence, a documentary film about Dr. Al-Amoudi’s story with breast cancer. Dr. Al-Amoudi is the author of 13 books. Her children have written two books about breast cancer as well. She has been featured in print, radio, and television programs, including ABC’s Good Morning America.

Dr. Al-Amoudi has received numerous awards for her work in raising awareness about breast cancer. In March of 2007, the U.S. State Department awarded her the first International Women of Courage Award for raising awareness across the Kingdom and throughout the Middle East by sharing her personal battle with breast cancer. In March of 2008, she was also honored by the Susan G. Komen for the Cure. Currently, she is implementing a program aimed at increasing breast health awareness among gynecologists, primary care doctors, and other medical personnel.

Pia Klomann
SWITZERLAND

My name is Pia, and I live in a small village near Zurich, Switzerland. I was diagnosed with breast cancer when I was 32 years old, just a few days before Christmas.

I didn't feel a lump, I had no pain, and there were no signs at all that could have made me suspicious. I was at my gynecologist for my regular check-up. As there had been breast cancer in my family, I asked her whether it would be possible to have an ultrasound or a mammogram. She told me that I was too young and that it wouldn't be necessary, at least not for a few more years. Although I didn't feel that there was anything wrong, I insisted on having an ultrasound.  

A few days later, I had an appointment in another clinic for the ultrasound. While I was there I realized that there was something wrong as they started to do a series of tests, including a biopsy. They sent me home to wait for the results of the biopsy. Only two days before Christmas, my gynecologist called to tell me that there was something wrong and I should come for an appointment the following day. I told her that I couldn't wait until the next day and that she should see me on the same day. She said she didn't have time and that she would explain everything on our appointment the following day. As I knew I wouldn't get any sleep that night, I insisted that she tell me on the phone that day. And she did. Although I felt it coming, I was still shocked.

After Christmas I had the surgery. I was lucky that the cancer was discovered so early, as there were no lymph nodes affected. If I had followed the advice of my gynecologist, it would not have been detected before spreading to other organs. I was diagnosed early enough that my cancer doctor decided I could skip chemotherapy and start radiation. Since then, I have been on a hormone therapy for over two years. It is not an easy treatment as I feel I live in a body of an old woman, although I'm still young. But what helps me is the feeling that I am still doing something to protect my body from this disease.

I never completely lost the fear of dying although it got better every day. In the beginning I woke up in the middle of the night with panic attacks, thinking that I was going to die. Only with the support of my friends, family and most of all, my partner, was I able to get through this horrible time. I learned that life is good and I stopped being a negative person. This has changed my life completely. Unlike before, I felt that life is a wonderful gift and I started to enjoy it, instead of always being worried what might happen.

I don't know if it was my intuition that made me insist on having an ultrasound or if it was the intervention of a higher power, but whatever it was it might have saved my life. I want to tell my story, so that other young women have the courage to insist on having these examinations. I also want to raise awareness of how important early detection can be.

Sandra Geens
BELGIUM

I was born and raised in Schoten, near Antwerp. My breast cancer story begins in March, 2008. Only 33 years old, leading a dynamic and busy life, I ignored the pain in my right breast for a couple of weeks. Nevertheless, common sense and fear drove me to see my doctor and soon I was exposed to further tests: ultrasound, mammogram, MRI, and biopsy.

I will always remember Friday, April 18, 2008, as the day I was diagnosed with an aggressive Stage II Invasive Ductal Triple Negative Carcinoma.  Luckily, there was no spreading in the lymph nodes or other organs.  After my initial shock and horror at this news, I chose to handle my situation with humor, friendship, music, a positive attitude, and a big smile. By November of 2008, I had been exposed to surgery (lumpectomy), chemotherapy, and radiation. (Hormone treatments and Herceptin were no options for me, as they wouldn’t work considering my type of cancer.)

Feeling the need to express my emotions and searching for understanding, I started up a weblog during my chemo. The reactions and support I got through this endeavor were amazing. I have met some fabulous people, both fellow survivors and sympathizers.

Today, after a long period of rehabilitation, I am enjoying my life more than ever. Remaining positive has shown me that a diagnosis of breast cancer doesn’t necessarily mean the end. Although it has been a tough ride, cancer has given me a lot: new insights, new friends, time to think, and a new awareness of my body and my life. Surviving breast cancer did leave some emotional and physical scars, but they have all disappeared, as the future looks immensely bright.