Just days after officials of the Barbados Cancer Society said more women are being diagnosed with breast cancer in this country, Minister of Education, Santia Bradshaw has revealed she has recently received a similar diagnosis.
Addressing constituents at a meeting of the Barbados Labour Party’s St. Michael South East Constituency branch held at the Parkinson Resource Centre on Sunday evening, she disclosed that just a few weeks ago she discovered a lump in one of her breasts, which has been found to be cancerous, but it is at an early stage and is therefore treatable. Bradshaw’s disclosure came as she further told the audience that she was set to leave the country yesterday afternoon, for at least a week, to have a series of tests performed, but she stated she will continue to be reachable by email and phone.
Contending that half the battle is won by being positive, she gave those in attendance the assurance that cancer will not get the better of her. The two-time Member of Parliament’s comments came as she indicated that she was coming to the constituents to let them know, as she believes that there must be openness and transparency from those who choose to get into public life.
“I have taken the position that the first people I must embrace into my confidence are my constituents, the people who put me there – because if it wasn’t for you I wouldn’t be here. I wouldn’t have the fire that I had from the first nomination in Parkinson Field continuing to burn, to make sure that we never have a Democratic Labour Party come to office to do the things it has done ever again.
Moreover, she said it is that passion that is one of reasons she wants to share the experience and she now sees herself as a “vehicle” to help men and women going through similar experiences and to let them know that they should not be afraid to share their diagnosis. She made the point while contending that cancer does not have to be a death sentence, as when caught early and treated, persons can and do survive the diagnosis.
“While many of you may feel a way about what I have said, I want to give you the assurance we took on a whole Democratic Labour Party and had a landslide and Santia Bradshaw ain’t letting cancer get the better of her,” she announced to a rousing applause of the crowd.
With that in mind, she said there are “periods” where she will not be in Parliament, the constituency or the Ministry as she seeks treatment and she is calling on the constituents’ support as she takes this journey. Her remarks came as she said she has confidence in the team of local and overseas doctors that she is in “good hands” and thanked Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley for the support she has been giving her at this time.
“I don’t want sympathy… I know some of the people I have told have gotten weak. I’ve seen tears from big men and women, and mostly men. I have seen the trembling. I have seen the fear. I want you to understand that I am so positive about this that I hope I can give you some of my strength,” she said (JRT)