When Rector and Vice-Chancellor Professor Robert Balfour called on the UWC community to share their personal stories, the response revealed powerful narratives of resilience and renewal.

Among them were moving accounts from staff and students who faced breast cancer with courage and conviction. Their experiences highlight the importance of early detection, the strength of community support, and the spirit of perseverance that defines the University of the Western Cape.
In April of this year, my life changed unexpectedly when I was diagnosed with breast cancer. As a young woman and a student in the field of sport and health sciences, I never imagined hearing those words at this stage of my life.

At first, I struggled to process what was happening. Between lectures, assignments, and work commitments, my days were usually filled with structure and movement. Suddenly, my focus shifted entirely from performance and productivity to healing and survival.

The months that followed were some of the most challenging I have ever faced. Treatment brought physical side effects, emotional fatigue and moments of fear. Yet, amidst it all, I found a deep sense of strength and resilience that I didn't know existed within me. I learned that health is not only about physical fitness, but also about mental fortitude, self-awareness and support.

I was fortunate to have a strong network around me - friends, family and mentors who supported me through every step of this journey. Their compassion and encouragement reminded me that healing is not something one needs to do alone.

Balancing university life with treatment was not easy. There were times I questioned whether I would be able to keep up. But with understanding from the majority of my lecturers, flexibility from the academic community, and determination from within, I managed to persevere to where I am today - studying in preparation for my final exams.

On 23 October 2025 (yes, yesterday), I received the life-changing news that there was no more cancer in my body. Those words marked the end of this chapter and the beginning of a grateful and purposeful chapter.

This experience has changed my perspective on life and learning. It has taught me to slow down, to appreciate moments of health and normalcy, and to value the people who walk alongside us during our hardest seasons of life. Most importantly, it has inspired me to raise awareness among young women to pay attention to their bodies and seek medical advice early. Because early detection saves lives!

My journey with breast cancer reminded me that resilience is not about avoiding hardship, but about facing it with courage and grace. While I will always carry the memory of this chapter, I now see it as a story of growth, hope and renewed strength.

So for now, I will continue to proudly walk through the University grounds as a short-haired girl who is a warrior, fighter and conqueror of breast cancer.

In March 2021, during the COVID 19 pandemic, I received a call from our house doctor which totally changed my life. He said that I should come see him immediately about my breast biopsy results. I had a breast biopsy done due to a lump I found in my breast. Deep down I knew that the news I would receive would not be good news. When my doctor uttered the words, "they detected cancer cells in your breast", I could hardly believe what was happening. I was happily married at 39 years old with two very young boys. I will be honest in saying that I thought, why is God allowing this to happen to me... our faith as a family was already tested when our boy was born premature. I am only human, and these types of questions popped up in my mind, but God carried us through my breast cancer journey.

I had to undergo a bilateral mastectomy, chemotherapy and immunotherapy. In 2023 I went for genetic screening and it was confirmed that my breast cancer was hereditary. I suspected this, as I lost my sister and two cousins who were also diagnosed with breast cancer. In 2024 I then had another big operation, as a preventative measure due to a high risk of also developing ovarian cancer.

I am currently on daily medication and have to go for regular screenings and blood tests.

This breast cancer journey changed my perspective on life, and I treasure each day I have with my husband and 2 boys.

Thank you for allowing me to share my breast cancer journey with the UWC community.

After reading the communication from the rector, I was inspired to share a story related to breast cancer. 

At a very young age, as someone who was raised and moulded by a society of people with little to no education, health was always an ignored topic of discussion in our homes. My then community believed in holistic and natural ways of healing any sickness. 

When I was at least 11, my mom's friend and cousin suffered what I would believe was breast cancer. Basically, her left breast was full of painful, ulcerated lesions accompanied by foul-smelling discharge and palpable lumps. At the very same time, she worked in our community clinic as a volunteer. Eventually, she sought professional help through which she discover that she was suffering from breast cancer and needed a surgical procedure to remove the breast that was affected. However, she was not in agreement with the idea of having a single breast, because of the influence of my community's beliefs around holistic and traditional healing. Ironic, right? A volunteer at a community clinic frowning upon Western practices and medicine. 

Unfortunately, it went downhill from there and the breast cancer claimed her life after a few months, leaving three young children - the oldest was at least 13. Had it been that our community was aware of breast cancer, I believe the outcome would be different. I believe she would still be alive today with the help of the mastectomy that she refused. This email inspires me to raise more awareness of breast cancer because I believe that my community is still lacking awareness about it. I hope to be the catalyst of this, as one of my goals is to give back to my community.

I am the Academic Administrator for CENTROW, within the Law Faculty.

If someone had told me a year ago that I would face breast cancer, I would have laughed it off. Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine that cancer would turn my life upside down.

My journey began unexpectedly in May 2024, during the Staff Wellness Day at UWC. I had decided - almost by chance - to take part in the breast screening offered to staff. That simple act changed everything. During the screening, a small lump was detected.

What followed were a series of hospital visits, scans and tests that confirmed the diagnosis: breast cancer.
It was a moment that stopped time. Nothing can quite prepare you for hearing those words. But as frightening as it was, I quickly realised how incredibly fortunate I was. Early detection had given me a fighting chance. It’s something I will never take for granted and something I hope every person takes seriously.

After many appointments and consultations at Groote Schuur Hospital, I underwent a successful lumpectomy at the end of August 2024. The surgery was successful and for that, I give all thanks and glory to our Heavenly Father, who carried me and my family through one of the scariest times of our lives. His strength truly became my foundation.

By mid-November, I began my radiation treatment, attending daily sessions with a remarkable team of doctors, nurses and radiotherapists. There were tough days - fatigue, discomfort, and emotional ups and downs - but each session felt like a step closer to being completely free from cancer. Surrounded by other cancer warriors, I found myself part of a new kind of family - one built on courage, faith and shared hope.

On 12 December 2024, I rang the bell for my final radiation session. It was a moment of deep gratitude, relief and quiet triumph.

Throughout this journey, I was never alone. My husband, Nathan, has been my rock and my unwavering supporter through every single hospital visit. To him and our children, who endured my twenty different personalities thanks to the meds, I can only say, thank you.

I’m also deeply grateful to my colleagues at CENTROW. Their prayers, compassion, messages of encouragement and understanding meant the world to me.

This experience has changed me. It’s made me more aware of how precious health, faith and community truly are. Most importantly, it has taught me that early detection saves lives. That single screening at our Wellness Day quite literally saved mine.

So please, prioritise your health. Make that appointment. Go for the screening. Encourage your loved ones to do the same. You never know how much difference it can make.

Here’s to healing, to hope, and to the gift of another day.