She recounted how she got cancer and her treatment journey

Judith Çubukçu, a 46-year-old South African English teacher living in Istanbul, shared her experience of the cancer she was diagnosed with.

Judith described her diagnosis and treatment as follows: "If I hadn't had symptoms, I might never have gone to a doctor. I felt a pain in my breast; there was an ache. At first I thought it was heart or chest pain. My first visit to the hospital was in October 2015. I was examined at a private hospital in Istanbul. A mammogram and a biopsy were done, and the doctor said it was only a cyst and there was nothing to worry about."

Had it been diagnosed at my first visit, chemotherapy might not have been needed

Recounting that at her first examination she was told it was a cyst but nothing to fear, Judith Çubukçu said: "I had to leave the hospital with painkillers. My pain continued. I researched online and, with the guidance of close friends, had the chance to meet Sevim Kuşlu Çiçek, General Surgery Specialist at Medicana International Istanbul Hospital. The pain persisted, so we had to repeat the examination. With an ultrasound examination Dr. Çiçek found a 90 percent suspicion of cancer, and a biopsy confirmed I had breast cancer; we decided on surgery right away."

"You have breast cancer" — a phrase between life and death

Noting that there was actually no history of cancer in her family, Judith Çubukçu continued: "Genetic factors mattered, but even though I had no past history of cancer, I had it. I was never afraid, never anxious. I felt my heart ache for a moment — like parting from a partner of many years. But I said, I can beat this. I shared it with my husband, my children and my family. I told them: stay calm, don't be afraid, I'll recover in less than a month like the flu — but I couldn't convince my mother. I felt her worry and fear deep in my heart."

I never considered being treated abroad

Stating that after her diagnosis her family and relatives strongly insisted she be treated abroad, Judith Çubukçu went on: "For a moment the idea of 'maybe' crossed my mind. But in recent years Turkey has come a long way in healthcare. While European and Arab countries choose Turkey, why should I have gone elsewhere?"

I don't really need it — let there be no risk; my breast can go

Recounting that she approached cancer with humour, Judith Çubukçu said: "When they told me I had cancer, the first thing that came to mind was the removal of my breast. If it puts my life at risk, why should it stay? After the diagnosis, as with all patients, a tumour board met at Medicana International Istanbul Hospital. Treatment began with the decision taken. I was lucky, because it was not a tumour prone to metastasis. During surgery, four lymph nodes were removed along with the tumour. Losing my hair during treatment was inevitable. The moment came, and my hair was left in my palms. My heart sank; of course I was sad. But I said it's just fashion and moved on. It will surely grow back — even thicker and more beautiful, I said. Look, it's prettier now; I've even dyed it purple."

I worked even harder during treatment

Saying she never gave up work during her cancer treatment but threw herself into it, Judith Çubukçu said: "Even when I was receiving the heaviest chemotherapy, I never broke away from work. Despite spending five hours a day in traffic and despite my intense work pace, I did not stop. During treatment I followed everything the doctor said; in particular, I gave up sugar and fast food."

Op. Dr. Sevim Kuşlu Çiçek, the general surgeon who performed the operation, explained

Op. Dr. Sevim Kuşlu Çiçek, the general surgeon among the doctors of Medicana International Istanbul Hospital who performed Judith Çubukçu's operation, gave the following information about the surgery: "Because of the pain felt in her left breast, she had gone to a doctor in September 2015, and with the tests done she was told there was a cyst measuring 17×15 mm in diameter. By the time she came to us it had grown to 5-6 cm. As a result of the tests and biopsy she was diagnosed with left breast cancer. Having thought it was a simple cyst, she struggled at first when she learned of the cancer diagnosis, but Judith accepted it immediately; breast-conserving surgery was performed on the left breast and she was referred to medical oncology for chemotherapy."

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mutlu Demiray, the medical oncologist who oversaw the treatment, explained

Describing how a tall, beautiful blonde woman first walked into his office with great joy and energy, Mutlu Demiray said: "She was alone. I asked how I could help. 'I have cancer; I've come to be treated,' she said. I was surprised. It was breast cancer, and it was Stage II. Her joy and energy were at a very high level; I wondered whether she was acting, but her entire treatment continued with the same energy. After the first chemotherapy her hair had begun to fall out. All at once Judith had her hair cut off and gone completely bald; she walked into my office with long metal earrings and asked, 'Who is prettier — me or Mad Max?' I laughed a lot. Throughout the chemotherapies we had almost no problems. No nausea, no vomiting. In fact, despite having a very demanding job, she didn't even neglect her work except on chemotherapy days. The inner energy that we doctors do not regard as medicine was probably the most important medicine — the energy that kept Judith on her feet and let her play games with chemotherapy. To reduce the side effects of chemotherapy and strengthen her immune system, we also applied a special whole-body hyperthermia method for Judith. Although whole-body hyperthermia and vitamin C treatments helped her get through the chemotherapies better and markedly reduced the side effects, the most fundamental point was Judith's energy."