More than five years after she first found a lump, Jokapeci Lagataki is back living the life she thought cancer would take from her.
The breast cancer survivor is now home, healthy and caring for her two sons.
What started as a small lump she felt while living in Raiwaqa, Suva, became a long journey that tested her body, mind, and faith.
When she tells her story, she does not want other women to focus on the fear she felt.
She wants them to understand why going to hospital early matters, why family support matters, and why hope must be stronger than what people say.
“I am asking women not to keep it to themselves and not to wait until it grows bigger before asking for help,” she said.
Never ignore a lump that keeps growing, even if it feels small at first.
Breast cancer is often found late because early changes can look minor. Any new lump, swelling, or change in size or feeling in the breast should be checked by a nurse or doctor straight away.
“In 2019, I was staying in Raiwaqa opposite the health centre when I noticed a lump.
“I went to the centre to get checked, the doctor advised me that she would refer me to oncology at CWM Hospital.”
Lagataki became frightened when she heard the word oncology and went home to tell her husband.
Her husband told her not to go, saying the doctors would use a long needle to do a biopsy. She listened to him and stayed home for weeks.
After a few months, she checked again, and the lump had grown larger. She returned to the health centre and said she had not gone to oncology.
This time the doctor told her she must go right away before it was too late.
“In 2020, I went directly to oncology. I was booked for a biopsy the following week and waited several weeks for the result.”
Her doctor was Dr Ilaitia Delasau. She went with her husband, who asked the doctor where the cancer cells were and if they had spread.
She was sent for a CT scan, which showed where the cells were located. Doctors said she needed surgery quickly to stop it from spreading to the other breast.
A year later, she started chemotherapy. She had four rounds at oncology, and each round left her feeling very weak.
The hardest part after returning home was not the treatment, but how people looked at her.
She said family and people around her started looking at her differently, as if she would not survive. She had to learn to control her own mind and not listen to what people said.
Two to three years after her operation, she was invited to Self Care Retreat Fiji after being seen at church.
The retreat gave her time away from housework and a place where she could talk openly with other women living with cancer.
“At home, we women want to do everything, to keep everything clean and tidy. I had to learn I am not the same person who used to do all things. I must take care of myself too.
“When I joined, I realised I am not alone. I thought I was fighting alone, but there were other ladies who went through much more than me. Sharing our journeys helps.”
For Pinktober, her message is short.
“Take yourself to hospital. It is better to go early than late.”
