LIFE STORIES
Mie Mifune, Japan
Overcoming Cancer to Build a Family
Mie was diagnosed with breast cancer just weeks before her wedding. She reflects on the value of making an informed decision about having children after cancer.
I was 30 years old when I was first examined for a lump in my left breast. I went on with my work relieved by the first diagnosis that it was clear. But the lump gradually got bigger and when I took another examination just to be sure before I got married, I was diagnosed with breast cancer.
The wedding was two weeks ahead. My partner and I wanted to have children as soon as we got married. I had never thought that I would get cancer at the age of 31… The shutters of my life were suddenly slammed down and I couldn’t stop shaking.
On the day I was informed of the diagnosis, my mind was blank, but I managed to ask the doctor one question. ‘Can I still have a bagy after cancer?’ In response to my question, the doctor told me that there were some people who had children after completing treatment. I didn’t know if I would live, but the fact that I could still have children after cancer gave me hope.
‘I don’t want to die,’ ‘I don’t want to lose my breasts,’ ‘I don’t want to give up my children.’ There were so many things I didn’t want to lose, but I knew I couldn’t hope for everything. I decided my priority in choosing treatment was to preserve the possibility of having children.
One month after the wedding, I had my entire left breast removed. When I saw the single letter scar on my flat chest, I was sad, but at the same time I had a strongly feeling that “Now I can live again!”. I remember that I felt my scar on the chest wall like a medal.
It has been 12 years since the day I underwent surgery. Thanks to the fertilised eggs that were cryopreserved prior to treatment, I managed to have two children.
I chose a life with children, but I believe that a life without children could have been equally valuable and precious. I think the important thing is to make an informed decision about having children, even if you have cancer. I hope that more and more survivors will be able to live their own lives after experiencing cancer.
Japanese
がんを乗り越えて家族を作りました
ミエは結婚式の数週間前に、乳がんと診断されました。
彼女は、がん治療後に子どもを持つことに対して、十分な情報に基づいた意思決定の重要性について考えています。
左胸のしこりが気になり、初めて検査を受けたのは30歳のとき。異常なしとの診断に安心して仕事に邁進する日々でしたが、しこりは徐々に大きくなり、結婚前に念のためにと再度受けた検査で乳がんと診断されました。
告知を受けた日、頭は真っ白でしたが、１つだけ医師に質問しました。「がんになっても子どもは産めますか」。私の質問に、医師は「治療を終えた後、子供を授かった方もいますよ」と教えてくれました。これから先、生きられるのか分からなかったけれど、がんになっても子どもを望めるという事実は希望でした。
「死にたくない」「胸を失いたくない」「子供を諦めたくない」。失いたくないものだらけでしたが、すべてを望めないと知り、私が治療を選択する上で優先したのは、子どもを持つ可能性を残すことでした。
そして予定通り結婚式をあげた１カ月後、左胸を全摘出しました。平らになった胸にできた一文字の傷を見たとき、悲しさと同時に、「これでまた生きていける！」と勲章のようにも感じたことを強く覚えています。
手術を受けた日から12年が経ちました。治療前に凍結保存した受精卵のおかげで2人の子どもを授かりました。
私は子どもをもつ人生を選びましたが、子どもを持つ人生も，持たない人生も，みな等しく尊い価値があると思っています。大切なのは、がんになったとしても、子供を持つことについて納得して意思決定することではないでしょうか。がんを経験した後も自分らしく生きられるサバイバーが今後ますます増えていくことを願っています。
News & Updates
Connect With Us
