From fear to fierce: Breast cancer survivor shares her journey to recovery

JOHANNESBURG – As Breast Cancer Awareness Month comes to a close, we share the powerful story of Bafedile Sakuneka, a remarkable woman who faced her diagnosis with courage and resilience. 
At just 31, Sakuneka’s world was turned upside down with a Stage 1 breast cancer diagnosis.
“When the results confirmed it was Stage 1 and hadn’t spread, the doctors recommended surgery to remove the lump,” she recalls. 
To rebuild her sense of self, she underwent breast reconstruction using natural tissue.
But the challenges didn’t end there.
For Sakuneka, a native of Bolubedu, Limpopo, her hope of one day becoming a mother was also threatened. 
“The doctors suggested I freeze my eggs because chemotherapy can lead to infertility,” she says. 
Though her first attempt retrieved only four eggs, she ultimately preserved more for her future.
On TikTok, she’s known as ‘Bafi, The Breast Cancer Warrior,’ sharing her journey to uplift others navigating similar battles. 
Her videos inspire and offer comfort to those facing the anxiety of check-ups and recovery.
Her message is powerful: Cancer doesn’t define you – it’s how you fight it that truly matters.
More on breast cancer
• 310,720 breast cancer cases have been reported this year globally. 
•  The WHO estimates that 42,250 women will die of breast cancer this year.
•  Approximately 13.1 percent of women will be diagnosed with breast cancer at some point during their lifetime.
• About 90 percent of patients survive for many years after diagnosis when breast cancer is detected at the early stages.