“I am a breast cancer survivor. I am a warrior. I have defeated the beast.”
So says Manana Moshoaliba, author of Scars of Life.
Since 2019 Manana has been a triple negative breast cancer carcinoma survivor.
This vibrant young woman exudes joie de vivre, and in her book she recounts her journey of overcoming the challenges of cancer, the lessons she learned and the disease’s impact on her life.
“Why did I write my story down? Firstly, I wanted to share my experiences – from the day I discovered the lump in my breast to my second and final mastectomy,” says Manana.
“I wanted to share all the unanswered questions, the hardship of chemotherapy, the uncertainty of life after the mastectomy and the overcoming of the stigma.”
She also wanted to create awareness about breast cancer in her social and cultural circles.
“There are many misconceptions about breast cancer, especially in the black community. I had friends and people I met during this journey who refused surgery. They went to hospital, but from the moment the diagnosis of breast cancer was made, it became ‘boloyo’ – witchcraft.
“I felt there is just so much that must be said and so many people who need support.”
About the title of her book, Scars of Life, she says she felt that she literally had to choose to live or not to live.
“To live, I had to accept the cancer treatment, and the mastectomy is an important part of the treatment. This leaves scars on your chest.”
Manana was diagnosed when she was 36 years old and describes the impact of living without breasts.
“At that age my hormones were still bubbling. I still wanted to be loved, spoiled and pampered.
“The outer scars are visible, but cancer also leaves you with inner scars, scars that people do not see. Your daily life becomes a constant fight and there are permanent fears that one has to live with.”
She says her book tells the story of an ordinary South African woman who lost both her breasts to breast cancer.
Manana is currently in remission and cancer-free. She says before her diagnosis she was very involved in her community and was, among other things, a rugby coach.
- “My diagnosis changed everything. I had to fight for my life. This book goes into all the details of the treatments and the impact of cancer on relationships.” Manana, born and bred in Welkom, is a well-known and respected motivational speaker, community volunteer, life coach and health and wellness ambassador.
Through her online platform she connects international and local health experts, cancer survivors and key stakeholders in bringing about change towards the stigma and stereotyping of chronic illness such as breast cancer in townships and rural communities.
