Speaking with FMT Lifestyle, Sheena, who turns 36 on Oct 27, shared that she initially thought she had a milk duct infection. A doctor even prescribed antibiotics to treat it.
But when her condition didn’t improve, she sought a second opinion – and received the crushing diagnosis. “The doctor asked if I wanted to remove my right breast. Without hesitation, I said yes.
“I wasn’t thinking about myself. I was thinking about my daughter,” she said, adding that Lily Sophia Faiz Bahruddin was only three years old at the time.
Chemotherapy followed the mastectomy, and it was a painful experience that left her nauseated. She also lost all her hair. In a show of support, her husband, Faiz Bahruddin, shaved his head.
Through the difficult moments, thoughts about her daughter’s future helped her keep her fight up. “I can’t imagine a life where my daughter has to find another person to go to, to ask questions and to love her. I have so much more that I can give.”
The support from her husband, family and friends also helped loads. Today, she strongly encourages women to go for breast screenings. “Don’t be scared to go for a check- up. Instead, be afraid if the cancer cells are not discovered.”
Sheena recently shared her journey in a film for the brand Homesoy 3.0 called “Stop That Dot” campaign that aims to raise awareness about breast cancer and the importance of early detection.
The dot represents cancer cells that, if left untreated, can adversely impact a person’s health.
To others with cancer, she shared: “This is not the end. Go for chemotherapy, radiation or a mastectomy, if you need to. It’s not the end of your life. But if you don’t, it may be the end of your life.”
‘I knew I had to fight’
Another inspiring survivor who is part of Homesoy’s campaign is Piercele Jayatilaka, better known as Percey. In 1994, the 66-year-old was diagnosed with stage 2 breast cancer.
Speaking with FMT Lifestyle, she shared that it started with a pain in her rib cage and a persistent cough. She had a gut feeling that something was wrong. But even after a doctor assured her that she was fine, she couldn’t shake off the feeling.
She sought a second opinion, a decision that proved to be wise although the diagnosis was difficult to accept. More so, as she had no family history of cancer.
But she thought about her son, who was only six, and knew she had to be strong for him. She eventually removed her left breast and underwent radiation. However, about a year later, two lumps were discovered on her right breast.
By then, she had given birth to her daughter. “She gave me hope. When I looked at her, I knew I had to fight,” she recalled.
“I wanted to show everyone that you can beat cancer.”
Thankfully, this time, she was put on oral medication. Although it caused a loss of appetite and left her nauseated, what kept her going, she shared, was the strength she found through prayer and the support of her late husband, family and friends.
Still, there was a stigma surrounding the disease then and she couldn’t find other cancer survivors to talk to. “The word ‘cancer’ was taboo. Those with cancer, especially women, felt ashamed.”
Remembering her experience, she started a support group in St Ignatius Church, Petaling Jaya and wrote a book titled “My Journey with Breast Cancer Continues.”
With October being breast cancer awareness month, she shared: “Go for a screening or mammogram. Don’t wait until the dot becomes bigger.”
To purchase Piercele Jayatilaka’s book ‘My Journey with Breast Cancer Continues’, click here.
Learn more about the Homesoy 3.0 ‘Stop That Dot’ campaign here.