In 2008, 39-year-old Tongaat woman Sandra Govender was enjoying a holiday in India when her world shattered following her breast cancer diagnosis. Now at 57, Govender is celebrating after a hard-fought battle, with her cancer in remission.
Born in Stanger before moving to Tongaat, Govender attended Silverdale Primary and matriculated from Belverton Secondary. She married and had two children, a son, Alistair, and a daughter, Simone. Like one in eight women, she developed invasive breast cancer, the most common cancer diagnosed in women worldwide.
At the time of her diagnosis, Govender was overwhelmed by despair but refused to give up and remained hopeful about her recovery.
She said: “My battle with cancer was one of the most difficult chapters of my life. There were moments of fear, pain and uncertainty, but I refused to allow my diagnosis to define me. I chose to fight. I chose to believe that my story was not ending there.”
The road to recovery was not easy. After undergoing 16 chemotherapy sessions, 32 radiation treatments and numerous hours of tests, treatments and physical therapy, Govender was able to beat cancer.
She said: “Being told I was in remission felt like being given a second chance at life. It was a beautiful mix of relief, gratitude and overwhelming joy, after everything I had endured, I could finally breathe, smile and look forward to tomorrow with renewed hope.”
Looking back on her battle with cancer, Govender said: “My journey has not been an easy one. It has been filled with challenges, heartbreak, illness, uncertainty and moments when I wondered if I would ever find my way back to myself. But today, I stand proudly knowing that every struggle helped shape the woman I am. Today, I am a successful businesswoman. When I look back, I don’t just see the cancer, the loss, the depression I see a woman who kept getting back up. I survived. I healed. I fought. I won. And today, I am still standing — stronger than ever.”
To other women battling cancer, Govender said: “Take each day one step at a time and believe in your strength. You are stronger than you think and brighter days can still lie ahead.”
