Actress Carina Nel on ‘paralysing’ breast cancer diagnosis

Former 7de Laan actress Carina Nel – known for playing medical doctor Alexa Welman – has opened up about receiving a “paralysing” breast cancer diagnosis following a routine check-up.

The mother-of-two, who shared her journey during Breast Cancer Awareness Month, is currently undergoing chemotherapy treatment and is in good spirits.

CARINA NEL ON BREAST CANCER DIAGNOSIS

Speaking to SABC’s Expresso show, Carina Nel revealed that a routine check-up in April, after suffering from exhaustion, set off alarm bells.

Five days later, she had been formally diagnosed with breast cancer.

Carina shared that she had no history of breast cancer in her family, and at 38 years old, she was shocked at her diagnosis.

“The five days before I received my daignosis was probably the worst days in this whole journey. It was filled with paralysing fear, where you can’t think, you can’t breathe, you can’t move…

“No one can really understand what it feels like, or what you’re going through until you’re in that situation”.

Carina added that her Christian faith had encouraged her to keep going, and fighting.

She continued: “I remember being overwhelmed with this calmness”.

‘GO GET IT CHECKED’

Like Carina Nel, rugby referee Aimee Barrett-Theron has also gone public with her battle with breast cancer.

The 39-year-old – a qualified biokineticist specialising in sports performance and rehabilitation – shared her diagnosis in July, stating that she would step away from the pitch to undergo treatment.

She has used her platform to encourage women to get screened for breast cancer.

She said in a video interview with the URC: “Early detection is so important when it comes to breast cancer. I was very lucky to find mine in the early stages. I think it literally saved my very active career and potentially my life.

“I chose to share it publicly, and what I found is a lot of people have said that they’re guilty of not doing the self-checks and not going for their scans.

“And, you know, life is busy or they’re worried about the outcome.

“But hopefully, by standing up for this and raising a bit of awareness around it, people are more proactive, and they take action to look after themselves.”

“What I want to stress is we know our bodies best. And if something doesn’t feel right, please go get it checked. It could literally have a massive impact on your treatment plan as well as your future.”