Profile: Oládé Oláyínká Age: 38 From: USA Occupation: Engineer
Motivation
Ten years of survival! I was only 28 years old when I was diagnosed. I lived clean, ate right and worked out. Needless to say, I was shocked when the doctor said, “I’m sorry baby doll, you’ve got cancer.”
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But since cancer wasn’t the first hardship I would have to overcome, I knew I had the character of a survivor. My treatment involved a radical modified mastectomy, chemotherapy, 35 radiation sessions and a five-year chaser of Tamoxifen.
As a breast-cancer survivor, I am an advocate for research, education, access to care and quality of life, and issues relating to cancer. I continue to spread the message that it is important to be your own advocate. I found my own lump through self-examination. Early detection was key for me.
Women of my race have a higher mortality rate, typically because their cancers are detected in later stages. In our culture, there is a great stigma associated with cancer, and many struggle with the disease alone. I serve as a role model by being open about the fact that I am a survivor.
For the women who are too ashamed or reluctant to get information, I serve as a resource. I also promote the message that this disease can affect young women, that it is important to know your own body, and to perform self-breast examinations.
I feel, as a survivor, that it is important to put a face to the disease and show that there are real people behind the statistics. I also believe that it is important for patients currently in treatment, and those who have just been diagnosed, to see older survivors and know that there is life after breast cancer.
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