Marking Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Catherine Hosein was diagnosed with breast cancer when she was 29.

And while the age at which she was diagnosed was very young, she first noticed a lump on one of her breasts when she was 24.

“It wasn’t breast cancer at the time, but it was a cluster of benign tumors that were found when they did a lumpectomy at 24 years old. It came back clear, everything was benign. I was told to keep a close eye on myself because it could have turned into something,” she explained.

Hosein did not take that advice lightly, regularly self-examining herself to see any changes to her breasts.

When she was 28, she noticed changes were happening over time and went to a doctor who said it was scar tissue and that it shouldn’t be a cause for concern.

Knowing her body, she didn’t sit back, instead, self-referring herself to a cancer clinic, where eventually after a series of tests that resulted in another lumpectomy, Hosein at the age of 29 was diagnosed with breast cancer.

“I am very grateful that I did them on myself, because I am here to tell my story, whereas I may not have been if I waited longer or had not been aware of changes,” Hosein explained.

Thankfully for Hosein, her cancer was caught when it was still in its early stages.

The now thirty-five-year-old mother has been cancer-free for about five years after undergoing a double mastectomy.

While Hosein’s tale is a cautionary one for anyone who notices any changes in their body to advocate for themselves, for residents outside of Winnipeg, that might be easier said than done.

“Most people for any of the services they need to go to a larger cancer centre. That includes mammography, ultrasounds, etc. Making sure people in rural communities get to those places is very important to us,” said Sharilyn Knox, the executive director of Central Plains Cancer Services.

As people recognize Breast Cancer Awareness Month, they are being encouraged to take the time, to examine themselves and if they notice any changes to take action.

“What is breast-aware for you? Are you empowering yourself and knowing your body? If you have a fear around it, dig through that and see why you are afraid. The feeling of empowering myself and standing my ground and saying ‘No I know something changed in my body I need to pursue this’ surpassed the fear for me and gave me a new sign of hope that I could trust myself,” said Hosein.

Breast cancer is the number one cancer diagnosis for Canadian women. Roughly 25 per cent of women are diagnosed with it.