The host and former MTV VJ faced breast cancer in 2015 and turned her story into a job spreading information
It was May 2015 when Sabrina Parlatore She ran her hand across her lap, involuntarily, and felt “a little lump.” From there to the visit to the doctor, the tests and the diagnosis, not a week passed.
“We never imagine what will happen to us. I was shocked, I was sad, I cried a lot”, says the presenter in an interview with Earth. “But we don’t have much time to grieve.”
This perception is due to the urgency of treatment in case of cancer. The presenter had a “large” tumor, measuring 2.7 cm, in her breast. So, once the bureaucracy was resolved, Sabrina immediately took action. He subsequently underwent cycles of chemotherapy and radiotherapy.
She defeated cancer, but the episode left its mark: her chances of getting pregnant, for example, were eliminated and today, at 48, already in menopause, she cannot take hormone replacement therapy.
Below you will find some excerpts from the interview given to Terra, in which the former MTV VJ talks about how she went from patient to breast cancer activist.
The impact of the discovery
“We never imagine what will happen to us, it wasn’t my concern. I have always taken care of myself. My mother said I wouldn’t allow it because we don’t have relationships in the family, which is a mistake. Then I learned that the Hereditary cases account for only 10% of breast cancer cases, so everyone is likely to have it.”
The percentage cited by Sabrina is confirmed by the Brazilian Society of Mastology (SBM) when it underlines that the idea that heredity would be the main risk factor for the disease is a myth.
“Studies show that only 5% to 10% of cases actually have a familial genetic makeup behind them, meaning in most cases the cause of breast cancer is called sporadic tumors, which occur randomly,” says the institution.
In the speaker’s case, she also did not have a mutation in the BRCA gene, which is common in people who develop this type of cancer. For science, the cause of her cancer is still unknown, but the artist considers the influence of emotional factors.
The treatment
“In less than a month I had the surgery, which was excellent. (…) It’s a relief after it’s over. I did my part, I did everything correctly, I managed to get the tumor in one early stage.”
The discovery before the condition worsened allowed the tumor to be removed without suppressing the entire breast. Sabrina didn’t even need a prosthetic.
After surgery she underwent 16 cycles of chemotherapy in six months and another 32 sessions of radiotherapy in a month and a half.
But the process could have been simpler. This is because the tests carried out a year earlier had already raised suspicions of the tumor, indicating the need for a biopsy. However, the doctor who accompanied her at the time ruled out any seriousness.
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The sequels
“I had breast cancer right at an age when women are closer to menopause, so the chances of them becoming infertile due to chemotherapy start to be significant,” she points out.
“At the time I wanted to become a mother, so I hurriedly had an egg retrieval for freezing. But I only had one opportunity, one cycle. The retrieval was very small and, due to my age, the quality of the eggs It was very low.”
So getting pregnant was no longer a possibility. As time passed, Sabrina ended up neglecting other means of motherhood and not making it a burden. But she understands that she can be a burden to other women.
What still strikes her is the impact on menopause. Due to breast cancer, Sabrina was unable to take hormone replacement therapy, a treatment that helps relieve the symptoms of this stage of a woman’s life.
Activism
“It wasn’t intentional,” Sabrina answers when asked how she went from being a cancer survivor to an activist fighting the disease.
“During treatment, I started to feel the need to hear other stories. I started corresponding with other women here in Brazil and abroad, because I could be someone others would stop to listen to.”
As Sabrina herself points out, doctors encourage this stance on the part of public figures to spread information on the topic. After all, the more aware women are, the greater the chances of an early diagnosis. As a result, the chances of curing the disease are also greater.
This is the message brought by other celebrities, such as Ana Furtado, recently recovered from the breast cancer that struck her more than five years ago, and Sabrina Parlatore. The former MTV VJ combined her schedule with her job. She works as a master of ceremonies for events and, especially during Pink October, she dedicates herself to health-related projects.
In the midst of all this, the presenter has two projects in preparation: the launch of a biography, which tells her story in the fight against the disease, and a podcast. The latter is more complete and promises to explore issues related to the female universe, her career, her experience on the latest MTV and, obviously, breast cancer. “There’s a little bit of everything at Sabrina.”
Source: Terra
Ben Stock is a lifestyle journalist and author at Gossipify. He writes about topics such as health, wellness, travel, food and home decor. He provides practical advice and inspiration to improve well-being, keeps readers up to date with latest lifestyle news and trends, known for his engaging writing style, in-depth analysis and unique perspectives.
