Patient Stories

Understanding the signs: Merisca’s journey through breast cancer and self‑advocacy

2026-02-17T12:22:22+02:00Patient Stories|

Her journey began quietly. At 29, she noticed a cyst in her breast that grew over time and caused occasional light pain. Her nipples began to invert, and she saw yellow discharge. The skin around her nipple developed the distinctive “orange peel” appearance often associated with breast cancer. Her breast even began pulling slightly to the left. Later, a lump appeared under her arm, accompanied by a swollen lymph node. Like many younger women, she didn’t immediately recognise these as warning signs. Merisca's story is one of genetics, diagnosis and the journey towards healing. It's also a journey of faith.

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Christine’s Story: “A little voice, a dorinkie, and a whole lot of courage”

2026-02-13T14:14:24+02:00Patient Stories|

When Christine Marais felt a tiny “dorinkie” (a thorn-like sensation in her breast), she never imagined it would mark the beginning of a life-changing journey. At almost 64, with no symptoms and only a faint bluish mark to hint that something was wrong, she trusted her instincts and acted quickly. That decision, she says, made all the difference.

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Anne and Diane

2023-09-11T17:06:06+02:00Patient Stories|

Anne is currently 71 years old and was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 2014. Dr Apffelstaedt diagnosed her, and Anne had Stage 2 cancer at the time. Anne’s daughter Diane, who is 36 years old found that she too, had breast cancer, in 2022. Diagnosed by Dr Fortuin, her cancer was found at Stage 2. Grade 3.

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Understanding breast cancer and men

2023-09-11T17:54:55+02:00Patient Stories|

When Graeme Comrie received his breast cancer diagnosis in 2009, it came as a shock for several reasons. At the age of 64, he had been leading a healthy lifestyle, he did his medical check-ups regularly, and lastly, he never thought that – as a male – he could be diagnosed with breast cancer.

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