Two Months From Diagnosis to Mastectomy: Gogo Brown’s Story

Every story is unique, every journey matters

This story is based on a survivor's account. Names have been changed to protect privacy. It is published for cancer-awareness purposes and does not constitute medical advice. Anyone with health concerns should consult a qualified healthcare professional.

Mpundu Valerie

1 in every 8 women is at risk of breast cancer, which is why health experts constantly urge women to perform regular self-examinations. Early detection remains the most powerful weapon against the disease, often making the difference between a simple treatment and a long, painful battle.

In Zimbabwe, institutions like Spilhaus Clinic have been at the forefront of teaching women this life-saving habit how to check for lumps while bathing, how to know their bodies, and how to seek help without delay. For many women, this routine becomes second nature.

For Gogo Brown, it had indeed become the norm. She checked herself regularly, never missing a chance. But as life got busier, with the responsibility of caring for her 100-year-old mother and other pressures, she slowly let go of the routine. She stopped her appointments at Spilhaus. "We used to go for checkups at Spilhaus. We were taught to self-examine, to check for lumps while bathing, or as often as possible. Having been accustomed to the norm, I let go of the routine. I didn't think it mattered to constantly check," she said.

After all, she thought, if she was fine yesterday, what could go wrong today? Then came one random day in February 2021. "It was just on one random occasion I decided to self-examine. I had also stopped going to Spilhaus. I just felt I had a lot going on and my plate was full hence, I stopped the appointments."

February 2021, while bathing, I saw blood coming out of my nipples and was totally shocked. At that time, I lost myself for a decent amount of time in the shower trying to figure a lot of things," she said. Looking after her 100-year-old mother, a fountain of knowledge and wisdom, Gogo Brown decided to seek her mother's counsel. As any parent would shield their child from imminent danger, her mother chose to protect her, even if it meant withholding the painful truth.

Boldly, she said to her, "It's not cancer!" and quickly shifted her eyes, then bowed down to avoid any eye contact. She wanted to give her child hope for a better tomorrow. She wasn't going to panic in front of her child. Battling in her own thoughts, drowning in her own discoveries, Gogo Brown remembered one lady she had assisted some time back in 2007, who had breast cancer.

'The first hello to her was a ray of hope. A beaming light at the end of my tunnel. I was about to walk into my journey with someone who had walked it before. I still wonder if I hadn't made that call, would things have turned out the way they did? She took me to the Cancer Centre for assistance.'

Although Gogo Brown had been counselled by her friend on the way, she was never ready to hear whatever the doctor was going to say inside. Adrenaline was rushing, what she wanted was to be told what her ears wanted to hear. She was neither here nor there. Pre-counselling was offered, and tests were run as blood was coming out of her breast. A scan was done, and her results came on the same day.

"On that very same day they told me, ' Mhamha, you have cancer. I literally broke down and started crying." A doctor was assigned to her to conduct a biopsy and also remove the lump. Still in denial, she yearned for a second opinion. "We took the lump for tests, and it really was cancer. I was given two weeks to recuperate after the operation. I went back again and was told they wanted to operate on half of my breast, and if the cancer had progressed, they would remove the whole breast."

However, while the doctor's findings were accurate, it was his approach that threw Gogo off. She was dealing with a lot, and being exploited was not something she was ready to embrace. "At first I tried to pay using my PSMAS card, and he totally refused. I had no choice, so I sought funds from my children and ended up paying $1200. The moment he realised there was cash involved, he started being exorbitant, making unnecessary demands, hardly realising that whatever money in my possession was given to me by my children for medical purposes."

She decided to consult her family for further assistance, therefore getting a referral far away from that experience. "So on 18 April 2021, I went to Namibia, that's where my operation was done. I stayed there for a couple of weeks till the 30th of April 2021, when I had that operation for breast removal. Imagine I found out at the end of February and the end of April that my breast had been removed. Ndidzo Nyasha dzaJehovah and my cancer was at an early stage," she said.

Despite winning her battle with cancer, Gogo Brown has not stopped taking her medication.

"I am still on tamoxifen even though I reached my 5-year mark in June 2026 I have been told to continue for another 5 years, taking the tablet. I don't mix herbs with my medication. I only take what the doctor has prescribed," she said.

Early detection saves lives. Gogo Brown's story is proof that a single self-check can save your life. She found her cancer in February. By April, it was removed because it was caught early. Had she ignored that bloody discharge, had she waited a year, the story could have been different.

Every story is unique, but every journey reminds us of one truth: Know your body. Trust what you feel. Act early. A lump, blood or discharge from the nipple, or a change in breast size or skin don't wait. Visit your local clinic, Spilhaus, or Cancer Centre. Early detection is not just treatment, it is survival.

If you have a story, share it your story might save someone.

0774 778 179

breast cancer survivor story Zimbabwe