Am I Enough To Prove That Cancer Screening Works?

Sindu describes her experience with cancer:

I had my first screening mammogram in November 2022 and in December I was told that I had breast cancer. I underwent successful surgery and physically, I am recovering well. Even though I know the statistics – 1 in 8 Canadian women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime – it is still difficult to believe it happened to me. I had no family history, no risk factors and no symptoms, yet cancer was there.

As health care professionals we tend to be fixers and problem solvers and perhaps believe that we are somehow immune because we are surrounded by these problems every day.

Through this experience, I now find myself looking at everything from a different perspective. A diagnosis like cancer shines a bright light on the most important things in life.

What was it like to receive treatment at the Windsor Regional Cancer Centre?

I received all my surgical and oncology care at the same place I treat my patients; the Windsor Regional Cancer Centre. Just a few years ago, my procedure wasn’t even available here. Thanks to our amazing surgeons and support of the Windsor Cancer Centre Foundation and community donations, mastectomy and reconstruction can happen all at once, right here at home.

I have always known that the Windsor Regional Cancer Centre is filled with incredibly skilled, caring, and committed staff, and it was confirmed when I stepped into the building as a patient.

You may be surprised to learn that the Windsor Regional Cancer Centre is not a sad place. Yes, there is sadness and fear, but there is also great joy, love, celebration, laughter, and community.

After facing cancer, what’s something you want to share with others who have not been diagnosed?

If I could stop every person on the street and deliver a key message about cancer and treatment, here’s what I would say:

Cancer screening works, and it is worth it. Make the time to get screened.

The best solution is to prevent cancer when you can, and also make an effort to catch it early. Make the time to take care of yourself even when you think you are too busy. Get screened and convince someone you love to get screened.

If you are facing a cancer diagnosis, please know that you are not alone.

We need to keep the spotlight on this terrible disease until a cure is found. We can do this by speaking openly about the disease, advocating for local expertise and state-of-the-art equipment and by continuing to raise funds to support local research and innovation. As a 2023 Lock Out Cancer Ambassador, I hope that sharing my story will show people facing a cancer diagnosis that there is a strong, dedicated, and vibrant community ready to support you in your time of need.