Breast cancer survivor Maata had her cancer detected following a mammogram through the programme.

"I’ve seen a number of Māori women come in with breast cancer and it's too late. They need to go and have a mammogram early so that if they have a lump they are able to have it treated like I had my lump treated."

"If I hadn't got the letter from the programme I wouldn't have gone for the mammogram. I felt I didn't need to – I didn't feel sick, I felt healthy. When I went back and they found I had the lump I went into denial. I was really angry because I thought I was doing everything right to keep myself healthy."

"I had to break the news to my family and the first one I told was my husband – he didn't show his emotions but I could see he wasn’t dealing with it well. Then I told my son and then I was able to tell my three daughters, but they were quite upset about it."

Maata had four treatments of chemotherapy, and has been a breast cancer survivor for five years now.

"Out of it has brought happiness for me because I am able to see my mokopunas grow. I treasure each day as it comes." 

Maata works in a hospital oncology ward and says her experience as someone who has had breast cancer detected and treated helps her to relate to the people on her ward.

"When I go and see patients who have cancer, I’m able to share my story and share the pain they are going through because I’ve already been through it."

Her message to women is that mammograms are just part of life - don't be shy.

"You can think 'do I really want to be here?' but you know you've got to be there. And it gives your mind satisfaction when you know you've been for the mammogram and you've got the results back and it's all good."

"Life is for living and it is just part of our life and it is something that you have to have done. Early detection is your best protection, so come on Wahine ma - go to it!"

Listen to her story in English ...
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