BREAST cancer survivor Noor Shareena Aleeya Saiful Adli discovered the importance of family support in facing breast cancer through her own journey. The assistance of her husband, Mohamad Faiz Bahruddin, meant a great deal when she was diagnosed at the age of 35.
The results came just two days before Hari Raya Aidilfitri in 2023, following numerous hospital visits stemming from her intuition that “something was wrong even before doctors confirmed it.”
With no family history of the disease, she found the news a little difficult to comprehend.
“It felt surreal – almost like a movie where you expect the doctor to call and say there was a sample mix-up,” Noor Shareena says.
At the time, the couple had a three-year-old daughter. Despite the uncertainty, they decided to celebrate Hari Raya as fully as possible while preparing for the treatment ahead.
The diagnosis meant that Mohamad Faiz had to take on a greater share of the responsibilities at home to lighten the load on his wife’s shoulders.
“It was her fight, but our battle. Whatever fear I felt took a backseat because my priority was ensuring our home front remained stable so she could focus entirely on getting through treatment,” he says.
Noor Shareena’s treatment involved surgeries, chemotherapy and frequent visits to the hospital. As she concentrated on her health, Mohamad Faiz ensured the household continued to run as smoothly as possible such as taking charge of household chores, family logistics, decision making and financial planning while juggling multiple jobs and caring for their daughter.
One particularly difficult aspect of going through treatment for Noor Shareena was losing her hair. But her husband found ways to keep her spirits up.
When they were around friends, he would say: “I’m so envious of my wife. Look at her head. It’s so perfectly round and beautiful.”
The comment made a big difference at a time when she was struggling with changes to her appearance.
“In a moment where I felt at my lowest, he looked at me and still saw complete beauty,” she says.
“Knowing he was steadfast in my corner gave me the strength to keep fighting.”
Facing his own uncertainties
While Mohamad Faiz tried to remain a reassuring presence, he also experienced bouts of fear and uncertainty.
He recalls crying privately and worrying about their finances and the future, but still tries his very best to focus on managing what he could and maintaining a sense of stability for his family.
The experience also deepened his appreciation of his wife’s resilience. “Watching her go from crying over losing her hair two years ago to happily braiding her own hair on her recent two-year anniversary showed me her immense strength,” he explains.
For families like theirs, the challenges in dealing with breast cancer is not limited to breast cancer awareness month alone. Patients may face months or even years of chemotherapy, radiotherapy or medication, making it crucial for loved ones to be there every step of the way.
Strong support system
Having her husband beside her also made it easier for Noor Shareena to navigate the emotional challenges of breast cancer treatment.
She believes women should never feel guilty about accepting help and support from their loved ones, especially when illness prevents them from carrying out their duties.
“You don’t have to face this alone, and accepting help doesn’t make you a burden. Cancer creeps up on you, and early detection combined with a solid support system makes all the difference.”
Noor Shareena believes that the role of loved ones should begin before a diagnosis, by encouraging open conversations about breast health and supporting women in taking the first step towards screening.
She hopes other women facing breast cancer will allow their families and friends to share the burden instead of feeling they must manage everything on their own.
“Allow your loved ones to step up, share the weight and be in your corner,” she says. “Every woman fighting this illness deserves a strong support system to lean on.”
Mohamad Faiz also highlights the importance of standing by one’s loved one through difficult circumstances like this.
“Marriage is a true partnership – when one is tested, the other steps up – and navigating that battle together brings an unbreakable bond.”
Noor Shareena and Mohamad Faiz were part of Homesoy’s recent "Stop That Dot Together" campaign to rally the support of families and communities to play a more central role in supporting women’s breast health. Apart from disease awareness, encouraging women to prioritise breast health and seek early screening also take the support of those closest to them.
The campaign includes partnerships with the National Cancer Society of Malaysia (NCSM) and Cancer Research Malaysia (CRMY) to support screening programmes and fund research tailored to Malaysian women.
“Over the years, the campaign has grown beyond raising awareness to become a community-led movement – one that encourages families, friends and communities to play an active role in supporting the women around them,” says Ace Canning Corporation marketing director Chang Wan Ping.
“By standing together, we hope to empower more women to prioritise their breast health with confidence, support and without fear."
