‘The first thing you think is that you’re going to die’: Breast cancer survivor honours power of early detection at Pink ODI

A powerful message resonated at the Pink ODI held at Wanderers on Sunday, as Agnes Munien, a breast cancer survivor, honored the importance of early detection. Sporting the name of a breast cancer fighter on her jersey, Munien shared her harrowing journey, emphasizing the single most critical factor for her survival. Her story began in 2016 when a routine mammogram revealed a lump, leading to a diagnosis of stage two breast cancer in her left breast.

The fear was overwhelming, Munien recalled, as the very first thought was that she was going to die. However, she persevered through treatment, only to face a second diagnosis in her right breast in 2023. Unlike her first battle, Munien did not require chemotherapy this time. Yet, her initial experience included almost two years of full treatment and chemotherapy.

Munien firmly believes that early detection was the key to her survival. As a cancer survivor, she is grateful to have made it through and now stands as a proud testament to the power of early detection. While the funds raised by Cricket South Africa (CSA) will undoubtedly provide much-needed assistance to patients at Charlotte Maxeke, the primary goal of the Pink ODI was to raise awareness about the warning signs of breast cancer.

Munien expressed her gratitude, highlighting the impact of the event in reaching a wide audience and reinforcing the vital message of early detection.