Breast Cancer Founation of Egypt

Eman Farrag (Nee. Justine Norbury)

Fighting Breast Cancer = Beautiful Life

I'm Sahar Tharwat, I'm 50 years old, and am one of many other breast cancer survivors. My breast cancer was accidentally discovered six years ago, which I very much regret, because regular checkups should be and are our savior.

I am a British woman and I now live with my husband in El Minia. In March 2004, whilst having a shower I found a lump in my breast. I was due to go on a Nile Cruise with my father and his wife in April and I thought it would just be a cyst so I didn't bother to do anything about it.

I went back to Luxor for a week in June so that by the time I eventually got round to seeing my doctor it was July. Please don't think I was afraid--it just never entered my head that there would be anything wrong and I didn't want to waste my doctor's time. It turned out to be a cancerous lump that was growing at a rate of about 60% which I believe is about twice the normal growth rate, also, tests showed that it was not a hormone related growth.

In order to try and reduce the lump I had to start chemotherapy treatment immediately. Chemotherapy can cause early menopause but because of the growth rate, if I wanted to save any of my eggs I would have had to have a mastectomy. I opted to start the treatment instead. When I started chemotherapy I had a 6 cm lump, after 6 sessions the doctors at Christie Hospital in Manchester, where I used to live, couldn't feel anything at all!

Yes, my hair did fall out but what is hair loss compared with life itself, and I had 2 beautiful wigs! Wigs can be great in some respects because if you're a brunette and you've always wanted to try another colour or style you get the chance.

I had an operation to remove what was left of the lump in February 2005 and no cancer cells were found. After the operation I had 3 weeks of radiotherapy just to make sure everything was clear. During all my treatment I continued to work whenever I felt well enough and the treatment didn't seem to be as bad as I expected it to be. Unfortunately, it did send me into early menopause which of course I am unable to take HRT for, but I didn't have to have a mastectomy! However if I hadn't gone to the doctor when I did I would probably be seriously ill if not dead by now as it is I am cancer free and fit and well!

My story has an even happier ending. I've been coming to Egypt for a few years on holiday and I love being here, but I usually could only manage to come for a week. After all my treatment my aunty paid for me to come for 2 weeks to recuperate and it was then that I finally made it to Cairo from Luxor and I stopped off at El Minia on the way back to view some monumental sites in that area, Beni Hassan, Tal El Amarna etc. While in Minia I met my current husband and we were married in November 2005. I have lived here, happily, since March 2007.

Al-Masry Al-Youm interview dated 14-2-2010

I'm Sahar Tharwat, I'm 50 years old, and am one of many other breast cancer survivors. My breast cancer was accidentally discovered six years ago, which I very much regret, because regular checkups should be and are our savior.

I was operated on within two days and underwent radical mastectomy. I felt such relief after the operation that this enemy has left my body, but still resented the idea of chemotherapy and radiation.

I finally resigned and started the treatment, which was completed after eight sessions of chemotherapy and six weeks of radiation. It is normal to have ups and downs during the therapy, but I kept reassuring myself that I am the winner in this battle, insha Allah.

I have a family history of breast cancer. One is my maternal aunt who died shortly after her diagnosis, and the other is my mother, who was diagnosed 39 years ago and whom I am very proud of, and happy being with us today enjoying life to the fullest, and we enjoy her presence in our lives.

At a moment of desperation, I made my choice. I was determined to be like my mother, not my aunt, God help me. I encountered a display of love from family and friends. They were so supportive, every one in his own way.

It has to be clear that the illness is not God's punishment. In a way, it is a blessing, in order to see life from a different perspective: not to neglect ourselves while taking care of our beloved ones.

At the time, my children were 18 and 15. My son was my greatest surprise. He was always a C or D student, and always depending on me, and I thought, "He will collapse." My son became an A student with his own efforts and joined the Faculty of Engineering, and now he is graduated. He mastered his life the way I would have loved him to.

I chose to talk frankly about my illness from the very beginning. There is nothing to be ashamed of. It is part of my destiny. I chose to deal with it positively and help others do the same. It became my sacred mission in my life.

Last but not least I would like to acknowledge the role of the Breast Cancer Foundation of Egypt, both on the general and personal sides. With their support and professionalism, Dr. Shaalan and his highly devoted team, volunteers like myself learned how to support breast cancer patients' every need to be comforted, informed and listened attentively to. What deeply touched me was how these patients were treated with great affection which they very much admired and needed.

Life gains new meanings and dimensions after being privileged to play this role in it. It gives me utmost satisfaction and pleasure to see a smile of hope and dismissal of fear through my words.

I would like to sum up my experience:
1. Go to you regular checkups.
2. Seek different opinions.
3. Take part of support groups.
4. Integrate and share others of the same fate, your feelings and thoughts.
5. And most importantly, never give up.
God bless us all.