“With my determination and by following the proper treatment, I managed to overcome and defeat a disease whose name many women are scared to even utter.”

Mrs. Khadra Al-Amaireh; a woman from a humble background and a wife and mother of five children was barely 35 years old when she was diagnosed with breast cancer. We sat down with her for an interview in September 2008 and were overcome with her story. Khadra has left no place for despair or fear in her life; she has created out of her experience a window of hope and encouragement and continues to inspire women around her.

What are the symptoms that led you to consult a physician?

I felt a small lump, the size of a lentil, in one of my breasts. In the beginning, I assumed it was an internal pimple, but I could sense that there was something strange in my body, so I immediately consulted a physician who examined me and verified the presence of a small cancerous tumor. The physician, as I remember, was impressed with my level of knowledge about breast cancer, and therefore asked me to talk to the ladies in the clinic’s waiting room about the disease and about performing self breast examinations (SBEs).

How would you describe your reaction when the physician told you that the lump is cancerous?

I accepted the matter in high spirits; unlike my brother, as I later found out, who was left in tears upon learning the news of my disease. Many women are embarrassed and ashamed of the topic of breast cancer, but I consider it like any other transient disease.

What were your treatment stages?

Three days after the examination, I underwent surgery to remove the tumor. I spent only one day at the hospital after which I returned to my children. Following the operation, I underwent 12 radiotherapy sessions and 6 chemotherapy treatment sessions.

How was your family's support during that period?

My husband was very compassionate and supportive of me. His morale and high spirits helped me to stay strong. He would say jokingly: “someone with influenza may pass away before a patient with cancer.” My husband also always accompanied me during the chemotherapy sessions. During treatment, I lost my hair but I always used to cover my head so that my children did not sense any change.

Has your experience with breast cancer changed you, and if so, how?

My experience has undoubtedly made me a stronger person. With my determination and by following the proper treatment, I managed to overcome and defeat a disease whose name many women are scared to even utter. Since I was healed by the grace of God, I always perform self breast exams and go for my annual checkups at the healthcare center that include clinical breast exams. I abide regularly with annual follow-ups to protect myself from relapse.

What is your advice to every woman?

Detecting my breast cancer early saved me from a more difficult treatment, and therefore I advise every woman to perform self breast self exams (SBEs), and not to hesitate or shy away from immediately consulting a physician with any questions or concerns. Today, I try hard to help those women close to me by making them aware of breast cancer and teaching them the steps to a self breast exam. I had a neighbor who was diagnosed with breast cancer. I visited her immediately and found her in poor psychological state. I shared with her my experience, and talked to her about the disease and its manageability; after a long discussion, she was able to talk about what was going on inside of her without inhibition. Most importantly, she felt much better and felt stronger and more capable of fighting her own breast cancer.

What is your advice to families of cancer patients?

Families of cancer patients shoulder a great responsibility in enhancing a patient’s morale and mood. They should help simplify the news on the patient and manage the cancer as if it were any other disease which affects a person on any other ordinary day.

Khadra concluded the interview by talking about treatment in Jordan; she says: “I thank God for the advanced medical services we have here in Jordan, which are available to all citizens in our governmental hospitals. Despite that my financial resources were rather limited; I received the proper treatment and distinguished medical services.”