Taginadavui's Fight Against Cancer
Taginadavui: I urge women not to get attached to the mindset that cancer leads to death.
Thursday 05 October 2023 | 10:00
From Left: Sant Murti, Unaisi Lekenaua, Mereoni Taginadavui and Priscilla Peckham are cancer survivors in Labasa on September 30, 2023. Photo: Shratika Naidu
Mereoni Taginadavui, an advocate in the fight against cancer, is calling on women in the Northern Division to bury their fear and seek medical treatment.
The cancer survivor for 24 years from the Lomaiviti Group has been raising awareness as a member of Fiji Cancer Society in the North.
With the ongoing Pinktober- a breast cancer awareness month, the 62-year-old grandmother said it was sad to find that women chose to ignore treatment after being diagnosed with cancer.
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Recently, she heard of a woman in Bua who died from breast cancer because she chose to use herbal medicine.
“Early detection is very important, and I urge women not to get attached to the mindset that cancer leads to death,” Ms Taginadavui said.
“If anyone follows conventional medicine, chemotherapy, proper diet, exercise, advice from doctors and have a mindset, one can live longer.”
The former iTaukei Land Trust Board staff admits that the long period of treatment can be very painful.
“It’s worth trying,” she said.
“My husband was a police officer at Nabouwalu when I learned at the age of 38 after having four children that I was diagnosed with stage three cancer.”
“I overcame all fear by the grace of God and with the support from my family, I am able to help save other women to choose to live longer.”
According to a recent survey, she said there were about 40 cancer survivors and patients in the North.
She also said some males suffer from breast cancer.
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