Reunion Island Woman Sharesโข Brave Battle with Breast Cancer โon World breast Cancer Day
Saint-Pierre, Reunion Island – Asโ the โคworld observes World Breast Cancer Day this Sunday,โค October 19, โSandra, a 42-year-old mother of three from Saint-Pierre,โฃ is sharing her powerful story of โฃresilience and recovery. Her journey, marked by a challenging diagnosis and rigorousโฃ treatment, underscores the importance of early detection, open communication, and support networks in the fight against breast cancer – a disease affecting millions globally and representing โคthe most common cancer in women worldwide.
Sandra’s active life, encompassing roles in both the medico-social sector and catering, was unexpectedly altered in โDecember 2021 when she discoveredโฃ a lump in her right breast at the age of 39.A diagnosis in March 2022 confirmed advancedโ breast cancer, specifically three infiltratingโข lobular carcinomas. She immediately embarked on anโค intensive treatment plan, including a total mastectomy of her right breast,โค six rounds of chemotherapy, and twenty-five sessions of radiotherapy.
Currently undergoing โขaโฃ ten-yearโ hormone therapy regimen initiated in February 2023, Sandra also receives ongoing psychological support โto navigate the deep depression that accompanied her illness. Returning to Reunion Island โinโ January 2023,โฃ she has embraced aโ holistic approachโ toโข rebuilding her life,โฃ incorporating supportive therapies like yoga, pilates,โข reflexology, art therapy, phototherapy, and dance.
Sandra is also undergoing breast reconstruction,with a mastectomy on her right side completed in March โ2024,symmetrization of the left breast scheduled โคfor October 2024,and a final evaluation planned for September 2025. Despite the lasting physicalโ and emotional effects of โฃher treatment, Sandra hasโค found โrenewed confidence and is exploring a career transition into the artistic field.
“Get tested, talk about the disease โand never stay isolated,” Sandra urges, emphasizing the critical importance of proactive health measures and community support. She powerfully expresses โher experience with the Creole phrase: “Mi lรฉ there โand pli for ke jamรฉ!” – meaning “I was โขthere and stronger than ever!”
