Breast cancer is not only a physical battle; it’s an emotional journey that changes how a woman sees herself, her body, and her future. Behind every brave smile, there are waves of feelings that words can hardly describe.
1st: The First Shock
When a woman first hears the word “cancer,” time seems to stop. It’s as if the world suddenly becomes silent, filled with fear, confusion, and disbelief.
“I couldn’t even hear what the doctor said after that word,” one woman recalls. “All I could think was, this can’t be happening to me.”
Many ask themselves, “Why me?” or “What did I do wrong?” It’s a moment that reshapes everything she thought she knew about life.
2nd: Fear and Uncertainty
There’s fear, not just of the illness itself, but of what’s to come. Fear of losing a part of her body that symbolizes femininity. Fear of the treatments.
Fear of being seen differently. Uncertainty about tomorrow becomes a constant companion.
As one survivor said, “Every morning, I’d wake up wondering what version of me would face the mirror today, the strong one or the scared one.”
3rd: The Emotional Rollercoaster
Some days are filled with hope; others, with tears. There’s strength in the morning and exhaustion by night. The emotions swing between courage and sadness, between wanting to fight and wanting to rest. “It’s okay,” one woman reminds herself. “It’s human.”
4th: The Changing Self-Image
Breast cancer often challenges how women see themselves. Hair loss, scars, and body changes can deeply affect confidence.
But many women say this journey also teaches them to love themselves beyond appearance, to value the power within rather than the reflection in the mirror. “I stopped seeing scars,” says another survivor. “I started seeing survival.”
5th: Support and Sisterhood
Amid the pain, there’s something beautiful: the support of family, friends, and fellow survivors. A hug, a prayer, or a message saying “you’re not alone” becomes medicine for the heart. Through shared tears and laughter, women find strength in one another.
6th: Hope and Healing
With time, courage grows stronger than fear.
The journey of breast cancer becomes one of rediscovery, of strength, purpose, and the beauty of life itself.
Women come out of it not just as survivors, but as warriors who inspire others to never give up.
At Letena Ethiopia, we believe every woman’s story matters. Breast cancer awareness is not only about early detection; it’s also about understanding the emotional battles behind the diagnosis and reminding every woman that she is seen, loved, and never alone
Writer- Hermon Israel
English
Amharic