I avoided breast checks for years. After losing my sister, even the thought of screening created a fear I could not face. She was only 26 years when she discovered a small lump. Our family believed the tests must have been wrong. The truth was far heavier. It was stage 3 breast cancer.
For four years she fought with remarkable courage. There were treatments, surgeries, good days, terrible days, and moments of hope we clung to fiercely. Yet the deepest struggle rarely showed itself to others. Her emotional world carried childhood wounds, fears she never voiced, and an internal pressure to stay strong for everyone around her. Those layers of unspoken pain slowly weakened the fight inside her long before her body showed signs of decline.
After her passing, screening felt impossible for me. Touching the area she once checked felt like reopening a door I had desperately closed. Avoidance became easier than confronting the possibility of reliving her story.
This year reminded me that avoidance is a dangerous form of comfort. Early detection is never something to postpone. It is a responsibility we owe ourselves.
In that spirit, the Ilma International Old Girls’ Association (IIOGA), in collaboration with Lanka Hospitals, hosted a Breast Cancer Awareness and Health Camp in October 2025 at Lanka Hospitals. The event welcomed nearly 200 participants, including teachers, parents, alumnae, and members of the wider community.
In addition to a Breast Cancer Awareness session by Dr. Naomal Perera, Oncological Surgeon, the day featured breast screenings, random blood sugar testing, BMI assessments, health guidance and medical referrals, complimentary check-up vouchers sponsored by Lanka Hospitals, and special arrangements for school teachers. The purpose of the event was not only to encourage early detection, but also to promote wellbeing and empower women to take charge of their health.
My sister’s journey gave that event a personal depth for me. Cancer is widely understood as a physical illness, yet scientific research shows a far more intricate picture.
A study conducted at Stanford University in 2023 demonstrated that cancer patients who received mindset-focused psychological support experienced notable improvements in their ability to cope and in their overall quality of life.
In 2024, the Indian Journal of Palliative Care published research showing that more than 90% of palliative patients experience significant emotional distress related to past trauma, fears, and personal loss.
Meanwhile, another systematic review by Health & Quality of Life Outcomes 2025, highlighted that unresolved emotional stress, depression, and suppressed feelings can negatively influence treatment outcomes and limit adherence to medical guidance.
These findings echo what I witnessed. Her medical reports told one story; her emotional world told another. Healing requires more than medical intervention. It requires emotional safety, space to express fear, and the freedom to feel without judgement. The weight of emotional baggage shapes the way the body responds to illness, even when that connection is invisible.
My sister’s mindset shifted during her later stages. Not from a lack of strength, but from years of carrying emotional burdens that were never released. Her spirit eventually grew tired.
This October pushed me to move from avoidance to awareness. Screening is now an act of courage rather than fear. Speaking about her journey is a way of honouring her life and protecting others from repeating the same silence.
To every woman reading this, please prioritise your health. Give your body the attention it deserves, and allow your emotions the space they need. Awareness is not a reaction to fear; it is an act of self-respect.
The event organised by IIOGA and Lanka Hospitals created a powerful reminder that early detection saves lives, while emotional wellbeing strengthens the will to heal.
My sister taught me one enduring truth – “Healing becomes strongest when the body is checked and the heart is heard.”
