Fighting breast cancer: how Diana found hope and became a voice for others

Today, Diana, a 30-year-old mother of 2 living in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, is adjusting to her new life as a cancer awareness advocate who is living with a disease that challenges both her body and her spirit.

“It all started when I noticed a lump in my breast and thought that I need to visit a doctor,” she says. At the time, as it did not feel threatening, Diana continued working for several days before paying a visit to a local oncology clinic in Tashkent. After tests and consultations, she was diagnosed with early, but already stage 2, breast cancer. Two tumours had turned into 5, and she needed to start treatment immediately to reduce the risk of poor outcomes.

Breast cancer is the most common cancer across the WHO European Region, with more than 600 000 cases in 2022. Every hour in the Region, 69 women are diagnosed with breast cancer and 18 die from it. Early detection and quality treatment are the most important factors in successfully overcoming the disease.

Coping strategies: essential for patients and their families

Chemotherapy helped to reduce Diana’s tumours but led to severe side effects, including a rare one that heavily damaged her liver. However, that didn’t stop her from speaking out about her experience. “I’m not sure why, but the diagnosis made me more active. I’ve started so many new things now that have drastically changed my life – and helped me cope with my disease,” she says.

Diana emphasizes that cancer is not only a physical battle, it is also a mental one. She explains that her 2 young children are providing her with much-needed emotional strength: “My youngest is starting school, and I can’t allow cancer to take away these precious moments.” 

However, she recognizes that her diagnosis has been overwhelming for many of her relatives. Together, they have had to learn how to overcome the emotional toll that cancer takes. Diana points to the importance of mental health support for those diagnosed as well as their families. 

With this in mind, she began pursuing a degree in psychology while undergoing chemotherapy. “I want to help other women with a breast cancer diagnosis speak openly about their fears and struggles,” she says, sharing her ambition to help people find strength, hope and healing during their most difficult times.

Becoming a cancer awareness advocate

As Diana’s battle with cancer began, she decided to share her story on social media, particularly on Instagram, where she had previously posted about fashion and travelling. She began to use the platform to raise awareness about breast cancer and encourage others to seek medical help if they suspect anything abnormal.

Through her advocacy work, Diana wants to break down stigma and misperceptions. Many people still think of cancer as a disease that primarily affects older people, but Diana's story demonstrates that it can happen to anyone, at any age. She uses her platform to help people realize that speaking up about cancer is vital for breaking the silence that often surrounds it.

Not everyone was ready to hear Diana’s call. Some of her former followers found it difficult to engage with her story and stopped following her. She lost close connections and experienced a decline in support from some people she considered friends. However, new followers emerged, drawn by her honesty and courage, and many friends drew even closer to Diana, trying to support her in many ways.

“For every person who turned away, many more reached out and thanked me,” she says. Many went to look for more information because of Diana’s posts. “That’s what drives me, gives me the motivation to move on,” she adds.

Diana’s message 

“Cancer doesn’t choose age, time or place,” Diana often reminds her followers. Her journey has not been an easy one, so she is happy to use any opportunity to flag these key facts about breast cancer:

• Early detection affects survival rates. Diana’s message to women is clear and urgent: “Examine your breasts regularly. If you notice anything suspicious, don’t wait – see a doctor immediately.” 
• Treatment for most breast cancers can be highly effective, especially when the disease is identified early. Diana spent precious time trying to find her optimal treatment pathway, navigating between public and private health services. To avoid this scenario, a clear, accessible and complete treatment pathway is necessary for every cancer patient; this is the message Diana wants to send to countries of the Region and beyond.
• Don’t be afraid to speak openly about cancer. Raising awareness can help others seek early detection and treatment. This will also help to reduce stigma. 
• Mental health support is crucial not just for the patient, but also for their families. No one should face cancer alone, and support networks are essential for both physical and emotional recovery.

Today, Diana is working on a project to establish a rehabilitation centre for cancer patients and their families, aiming to provide support both during and after treatment. “After treatment, many patients feel lost and need guidance. That can and should be addressed.”

In late October, Diana will have a double mastectomy. She hopes for the best, and thinks it’s a good sign that it will happen during Breast Cancer Awareness Month. 

“The best thing I can do today is to continue speaking out about the needs of cancer patients. With the support of policy-makers, breast cancer prevention, detection and treatment can be improved, helping many patients and their families to overcome the disease.”