A pink ribbon, which is an international symbol for breast cancer awareness, held by men and women. (Pixabay) Being diagnosed with the "Big C" is not an easy news to bear, and even more so if one is told that the cancer is in its late stage. That’s when the feeling of hopelessness comes and even affects those around the patient. But a survivor of stage 3B breast cancer, Dr. Raquel G. Carino-Mendoza, 54, has survived the difficult times – and the cancer, too – through faith, prayer, and proper medical treatment almost two decades ago. Symptoms of the disease may vary but may include a lump in the breast or underarm; swelling in the armpit or near the collarbone; unusual nipple discharge; nipple changes such as sores, burns, and itches, among others; and flattened or indented on breasts, the St. Luke's Medical Center website explained. In Mendoza's case, a lump "as big as a golf ball," pain in her left breast, and loss of appetite were among the signs she felt sometime in February 2005. At that time, she was hesitant to seek professional help since she was still completing a doctorate in Counseling Psychology at De La Salle University (DLSU) Manila. "From February to April, I felt increasing bearable pain in my left breast. Its color turned from pinkish and reddish to violet. My left breast also grew, and my bra size turned 36 to 40 inches. I also lost 10 pounds in two weeks," Mendoza, a professor and guidance counselor, told Manila Bulletin. She went for a medical check-up two months later and was advised by a surgeon to receive a "frozen biopsy" procedure. "On April 28, 2005, I underwent the said operation. When they discovered the biopsy was malignant, the surgeon immediately did a modified radical mastectomy on my left breast while I was asleep in the operating room. Thus, the pathology results showed a breast cancer diagnosis, stage 3B," she narrated. According to the Cancer Treatment Centers of America website, Stage 3B means that the disease "has spread to the chest wall, has been diagnosed as inflammatory breast cancer, and may have spread to up to nine lymph nodes in the armpit or those near the breastbone," but has not reached to other parts of the body. Treatment After surgery, Mendoza went through six chemotherapy sessions every three weeks for five months. A month later, she went through 30 days of radiation therapy. Aside from following her doctor's recommendations, the 54-year-old professor attributed her recovery to God's grace and the support of her loved ones. "I prayed to God, if possible, no more treatment after radiation therapy and for cancer to never recur again. I knew that God answered my prayer when I started to become stronger. I returned to my Ph.D. program and started to work again in 2006," she said. Her prayers were answered. The result of treatments showed that 11 lymph nodes removed from Mendoza's armpits were negative for cancer cells. At the same time, her human epidermal growth receptor (HER) 2 tests were also negative. This means she does need to take medications or receive other treatment. Road to recovery After Mendoza was declared cancer-free in 2007, she visited her oncologist for blood and urine tests, mammograms, and chest X-rays for the succeeding five years. Meanwhile, she maintained a healthy diet and lifestyle accompanied by a yearly physical medical examination required for work and health purposes. She also nurtured her spiritual life by building a deeper relationship with God while serving Him in a local church. "After 17 years of surviving cancer, I can work, drive, and travel. I choose to be happy, to enjoy life, and deal with my stress one day at a time," Mendoza said. October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month Cancer is the country's third leading cause of death, with over 150,000 cases in 2020, according to Global Cancer Observatory's data, as cited by World Health Organization (WHO). Breast cancer was the most prevalent case at 27,163 or 17 percent, followed by lung, and colorectum. What causes cancer is still unknown, but DOH said that people should be aware of risk factors and avoid cigarette smoking, excessive alcohol intake, unhealthy diet, and exposure to chemicals, metals, and substances like asbestos, nickel, and cadmium, among others. To improve the chances of successful treatment, DOH said that early detection is a must. The DOH encourages women to regularly do a breast self-examination (BSE) which helps detect unusual changes in the breast. Around the world, stories about the value of early detection are repeated again and again, especially in the month of October, which is observed as Breast Cancer Awareness Month.