My name is Sadia. I am from Kharian and lived in Lahore for many years. I am a mother of four children. Before my illness, I was a teacher and worked in private jobs. I was educated, independent, and proud of the life I had built. My mother was very proud of me too. Out of her six daughters, I was the only one who was working and using her education.

Before marriage, I had dreams of studying further, working, and living independently. But in our society, women are often expected to put their dreams aside. I accepted that path and focused on my family.

For many years, I was healthy. I rarely visited hospitals except for childbirth. I truly believed that serious illness could not happen to me.

After my first child, I noticed problems breastfeeding from my right breast. At that time, there was very little awareness about breast cancer, and I ignored it. About a year later, I noticed a small growth on my right shoulder. It irritated me, so I had it removed.
At the time, I did not even realise that a biopsy had been done on that growth. The hospital staff had been trying to reach me for a year. One day, I finally picked up their call, and that is when they told me the biopsy showed cancer cells.

Instead of going to the hospital, I refused to believe it. I told myself there was no history of cancer in my family. I thought the report must belong to someone else, so I ignored their call.

Looking back now, I understand this was my first and biggest mistake.

The doctors had already caught it early — and I chose not to listen.

Life went on. I had three more children. All of them refused to feed from my right breast. Over time, my breast began to shrink, and the nipple turned inward. These were clear warning signs, but I kept ignoring them. My body kept warning me, and each time, I turned away.

One day, while travelling to our village, I saw a breast cancer awareness poster at a service station. It listed warning signs, including nipple inversion and breast shrinkage. For the first time, I felt afraid. I told my husband, and he encouraged me to see a doctor.

At the hospital, the doctor did an ultrasound and told me that I had multiple tumours rooted in my breast. She said it was especially concerning because I had very young children and advised me to go to the city immediately for treatment.

Later, I was told my cancer was Stage 3, very close to Stage 4.

For four years, cancer had been growing inside me while I ignored the signs. If I had listened the first time — when the biopsy showed cancer cells — my treatment would have been easier, and my body would not have suffered so much. This is something I live with every day.

I want to say this clearly to every woman: do not ignore yourself.

Do not wait. Do not assume it cannot happen to you.

Chemotherapy was harder than I could have imagined. I was not prepared for the pain, weakness, and side effects. After several cycles, my mental health suffered too. I became forgetful and overwhelmed. Doctors advised me to keep my young children away, but my youngest child became my reason to live. His small gestures gave me strength.

All my savings were spent on treatment, and I am grateful they were. My husband and family stood by me completely. They tracked my treatments, waited for my surgery dates, and never let me feel alone.

Chemotherapy changed my body — my hair turned white, my nails fell off, and some never grew back — but I am alive. I dress well, take care of myself, and live with dignity.

Being part of the Moving On After Breast Cancer project gave me hope at a time when I felt very alone. The CBT self-help sessions helped me understand my thoughts and emotions. The psychologists were kind, encouraging, and deeply supportive. For the first time in a long while, I felt heard, understood, and less lonely. These sessions helped me come out of depression and the heaviness in my heart.

Today, I work two jobs — one online and one in teaching. I get tired easily, and I will be on medication for life, but I am grateful to be here. I keep a diary for follow-ups and tests. Life is different now, but it still has meaning.

Cancer taught me that willpower matters. I used to hear people say this, but now I understand.

I thank Allah for both the pain and the healing. And I share my story with one hope: that every woman listens to her body, takes warning signs seriously, and never ignores her health — because early attention can save lives and spare so much suffering.