When Kaydia Levien felt a lump in her right breast earlier this year, she initially thought it was pre menstrual syndrome.
However, having a family history of cancer, the young businesswoman decided to visit her doctor who told her that at age 31, she was too young to do a mammogram.
After learning that she had lost three family members to the dreaded disease, her doctor gave her the green light to go ahead with the mammogram which confirmed her worst fear.
Levien, a mother of one, was diagnosed with stage 2 breast cancer and is currently undergoing an aggressive treatment of chemotherapy.
She said her life changed drastically after her diagnosis.
“My diagnosis came right in the pandemic and after that, my life was all about doctors’ visits, surgeries and chemotherapy. I was always sick and didn’t even have the energy to do what I love,” he said.
Prior to her diagnosis, Levien said she had just started a successful business with her cousin called ZM Entertainment and Parties Limited, and enjoyed cooking for her husband and daughter.
“For me, now is a time of reflection of how valuable and precious life is. Everything is now at a standstill or a slow pace because my entire life is on hold,” she said.
As she fights breast cancer, doctors were also concerned about an ovarian cyst.
REMOVING MY OVARIES
“The doctors decided that removing my ovaries would be a big bonus with fighting the cancer because my ovaries were driving the cancer cells. My gynaecologist suggested I do a complete hysterectomy so I did a complete hysterectomy, nipple sparing mastectomy, and reconstructive surgery all at once. Everything happened so fast like whirlwind and I’m now doing chemotherapy,” she said.
Levien is imploring young women to pay attention to their bodies and practise self-examination and visit their doctors should they feel or see anything suspicious.
“Examine your boobies and do not take the answer that you are too young to do a mammogram or that you don’t have a family history. A lot of young people are being misdiagnosed. Some light needs to be shed on the young adults fighting breast cancer. I wish I was more aware or else I would have caught it at stage 1. Just as I was starting to enjoy my success, I was diagnosed,” she said.
Levien said she is keeping her fingers crossed and hoping that when her chemotherapy sessions ends in February, all will be well for her to start radiation treatment.
She credits her family and in-laws as her major support systems, adding that each person brings different gifts of strength.
“When I look in the mirror and see my scars from surgery and my bald head from chemotherapy, I know I am fighting a battle and I am doing it with a fierce heart. It is a daily reminder of my strength and desire to live,” she said.