LocationsTo Embrace Life as a Gift
February 4, 2026
D. is 52 years old and she has faced breast cancer three times. Sadly, this is a reality for some people. Given this, it’s remarkable to witness the warmth and strength she carries. It’s hard to fathom what she has been through, and even harder to understand how she finds the strength not only to fight her own battle but also to be a constant source of support for her family.
"I was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 2003, had a recurrence in 2009, and then it came back for a third time in the fall of 2023, just when I thought I was finally past it all. I am in remission now, but I am always mindful that things can change. That's why I focus on living in the moment.
I found the first lump myself when I was 29. We had just gotten back from a trip to the sea. My oldest daughter was about to start first grade, and I had just weaned my youngest son a month before. While taking a shower, I felt a lump on the left side. Right away, I knew it was cancer - the same disease my grandmother died from. When my mammogram results led to a referral to an oncologist, I felt a strange calm. My husband was more anxious than I was; my only thought was that I needed to do everything possible to stay here for my children.
I had surgery - a mastectomy of my left breast. After that surgery, I didn't need chemotherapy or radiation. I was fortunate it was caught at the first stage. The oncologist praised me for coming in so promptly. He told me: “Your task now is to come for check-ups every six months” And that’s exactly what I did.
Six years later, during one of those routine check-ups, they found a second tumor, this time in my right breast. It was a devastating blow. They performed another surgery, removing part of the breast and all the nearby lymph nodes.
Then, in 2023, came the third diagnosis. I almost lost hope. Enough time had passed that the fear had begun to fade, and then, suddenly, it was back. The cancer had returned in the very same area as the second surgery.
A biopsy revealed it was a HER2-positive subtype - a more aggressive form of cancer that requires complex diagnostics and a specialized treatment plan with targeted medicines. I was terrified. For the first time, the disease felt like a direct, personal threat. I felt a wave of despair, convinced this was truly the end. With my nearest lymph nodes already removed, there was no clear path to track any potential spread. But my doctor quickly reassured me, explaining that for this specific type of cancer, advanced diagnostics and modern, targeted treatments are now available. I am profoundly grateful that in Turkmenistan, these extensive tests and life-saving medicines are provided free of charge*.
In early 2024, after completing all possible tests, I started a course of chemotherapy to eliminate any microscopic cancer cells. My regimen included the medicines doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide, followed by paclitaxel. It was an immense physical challenge, but I held on.
The most critical part of my treatment was targeted therapy. I began receiving intravenous infusions of trastuzumab, a medicine that specifically blocks the HER2 protein on cancer cells. My oncologist calls it a “smart medicine” because it zeroes in on the cancer while sparing healthy tissue.
I also took hormonal therapy and received additional medicines to protect my bone health and bladder during treatment.
The hardest part was grappling with the idea that my cancer might be hereditary. I was deeply afraid that my older daughters could face the same thing.
Now, I go for regular screenings alongside my daughters, as their risk is higher due to our family history. I've become their guide through this process; we attend appointments together, go through tests, and review our results as a team.
My life is still measured from one check-up to the next - ultrasounds and blood tests for tumor markers every six months. The fear of cancer is now a shared burden among the three of us. But there is also a powerful, shared strength in facing it together.
Nearly a year and a half since that third diagnosis, I am rediscovering the joy in life. Every quiet morning feels like a blessing. Every simple outing with my family is a celebration.
To any woman starting this difficult journey, I want to say this: cancer is touching more and more young lives, and that is terrifying. But let that fear fuel your resolve. Don't just ask your doctor, “What do I have?”. Ask: “What type do I have?”, “How often should I be monitored?”, “What can I do to stay in control?” Modern, effective treatments are accessible in Turkmenistan today, available not just in Ashgabat but in regional centers across the country. Do not delay your screenings. Be proactive. Ask every question you have until you understand. And most importantly, remember you are not alone. The strength you build for yourself may one day become the very support someone else needs most".
* Within the framework of United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) projects for the control of non-communicable diseases, funded by the Government of Turkmenistan, upon registration, medicines for the treatment of oncological, endocrinological, neurological, chronic respiratory, cardiovascular, rare, and orphan diseases are provided free of charge.
Learn more about our projects in the field of non-communicable disease control at the link: https://www.undp.org/ru/turkmenistan/projects
