Cover Story: A hardy fighter

2009/11/12

ZUHAILA SEDEK

Genevieve Harding went into denial when she first learnt she had cervical cancer. But now she is a model patient as a National Cancer Society of Malaysia ambassador. She shares her story with ZUHAILA SEDEK. IT all happened so quickly for Genevieve Harding. In just one year, she had to endure many hardships as a cervical cancer patient.

She is a face familiar to many, appearing as she has in numerous TV commercials and on the runways. The former beauty queen is now at stage 1b of the cancer.

“It has been a difficult year for me. I had no symptoms whatsoever. It just ‘attacked’ me without any warning,” said the 35-year-old.

Harding went into denial when she was first informed that she had cervical cancer.

After all, she religiously had her pap smear tests done regularly and led a healthy lifestyle.

Harding says while it’s not easy to deal with cancer, you need to remain positive and be a fighter to get better.

“I kept asking why this happened to me. I didn’t smoke or do anything that could have brought on the disease,” she said.

It took her about a month to finally accept her health condition.

“I think it’s okay to vent your feelings but after you’ve processed it all, you must undergo all the required treatments,” said Harding.

Harding found out about her illness when her mother advised her to see a doctor after the death of the United Kingdom’s Big Brother celebrity Jade Goody.

“My mum insisted that I go for a check-up and so I did. I was informed that there were some abnormalities in my test results,” said Harding.

“I was told to do a lasering procedure. Lasering probably gives the best possible outcome as a cancer patient,” said Harding, who is a National Cancer Society ambassador.

A few days later her doctor called to say that she needed to have a cone biopsy done, in which a cone-shaped sample of tissue is removed from the cervix.

Ten days later she suffered a haemorrhage, which only happens to a minority of women with cervical cancer (1-2 per cent).

Then she was told that she had to have a hysterectomy (removal of the uterus).

Harding was, understandably, devastated by this time.

“My world went topsy-turvy. I just couldn’t accept that a woman my age had to have a hysterectomy. But without the procedure done the doctor said, the cancer could recur.”

“I wouldn’t have gone through it were it not for my two young children,” said Harding, fighting back her tears.

“My husband didn’t want me to share my story as it would mean having what seemed like a horrible dream on record.

“But I feel obligated to share my experience to help women understand what it’s like to have this cancer.”

Just when she thought that her treatment was over, she was told she needed chemotherapy and then internal radiation.

“The radiation was so painful. I ate nothing for days and was only allowed to drink water. It was awful.”

Harding said her children, husband and other family members kept her going.

“Many times I wanted to stop everything and just go home. But I knew I had to go through it to get well. Otherwise, who will care for my kids? They are still so young,” said an emotional Harding.

So far, she has undergone 30 radiation and four chemotherapy sessions.

“What I want to tell women is that, while it’s not going to be easy dealing with cancer, they must remain positive and think about getting well. Family support is important too.

“For those who are not cancer patients, regular pap smears need to be done. They should not feel embarrassed to go for the tests. I felt the same way too, at first, but after a while, you’ll be okay. The most important thing is your health,” said Harding.

She also advised women to have health insurance as treatment costs are usually astronomical.

Harding said that local medical treatment was just as good as anywhere else.

Malaysian hospitals, she said, are generally good.

“If I were to go to the UK, I don’t think I would have received any better treatment.”

She still takes on some modelling jobs.

“Going to work is like taking time out, plus I’ve always enjoyed working. I have been modelling for over 20 years now,” she said.

Harding is back to a normal life, meeting up with family and friends just like she did before. She is currently waiting for her radiation results.