A cancer patient's experience: ‘I have to give life my best shot’

As the world this weekend unites to raise awareness about cancer, Sarah Carabott found out – from one patient and two nurses – that positivity and knowledge go a long way towards helping patients fight their illness and the anxiety that it causes. When her first chemotherapy cycle was over, Antonella Rogers threw in the towel, having decided it was not worth fighting anymore. However, in a reversal of attitude, she soon started to use her unfortunate situation for the good by meeting other people who were also battling something that could kill them: drugs. While still undergoing treatment, she held talks for them about her fight for life and the importance of a positive outlook. The 35-year-old was diagnosed with aggressive breast cancer last September and started chemotherapy a couple of weeks later. She has now completed six cycles and last week received positive results ahead of surgery in the coming weeks. As with other patients, the cancer diagnosis was a “shock” for Ms Rogers. She recalls being “bombarded” with advice about what to eat and did not think twice about attending a “pre-treatment” class at the oncology centre. There, she was briefed about the possible symptoms...