63 year old Timothy Mlenje says nobody suspected that he could have breast cancer when he first discovered a lump on his left breast in 1997. Timothy's employers at the time, both in the medical profession, felt he had nothing to worry about when he asked them to examine him.
The lump on Timothy's breast continued to grow gradually and although he raised concerns various times no action was taken. In 2002, five years after first discovering the lump, Timothy became seriously troubled when he started feeling sharp, short pains on his nipple. In January of 2003 his employers responded to Timothy's pleas and booked him into Johannesburg General Hospital where samples of the tumour were taken. The tests revealed that Timothy had breast cancer. "Everybody was very shocked to discover that what I'd been reporting all these years had in fact been breast cancer," says Timothy.
An operation was set up immediately and Timothy's entire breast was removed. Five weeks of radiation and then six months of chemotherapy followed after which Timothy was offered breast reconstruction surgery which he declined.
Timothy's advice to others is, "Everyone is vulnerable. Check your body everywhere and ask someone else to check those parts that you can't see. Report anything strange to the clinic so that you can know if you are living or dying!" Timothy is happy to be a survivor and hopes that by sharing the knowledge that men can get breast cancer too, other men might react quicker to receive treatment.
Malawian born Timothy has been living and working in Johannesburg since 1975 and is now retired. Father of two and grandfather of three, Timothy very much enjoys reading and religious studies in his spare time. Timothy speaks many African languages, amongst them Zulu, Sotho, Shangaan and Xhosa.
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Funds raised from Rider fundraising initiatives are used for awareness and education campaigns of the importance of early detection, as well as to provide support to people with breast cancer in less fortunate areas.
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