MAPE member wants others to be aware of breast cancer risk

Pink-branded everything, walks to raise money and a reminder each year that one in eight women will be impacted – October is breast cancer awareness month. Thanks to research, five-year survival rates surpass 90% when the cancer is detected early, according to the American Cancer Society (ACS), but further progress is still needed. This is why MAPE Local 401 steward and Department of Revenue Tax Specialist Winifred Muyingo wants to invite MAPE members to take action now. “Donate to research, do self-examinations and get your mammograms starting at 40, or earlier if you have a history of breast cancer in your family.”

Muyingo’s breast cancer journey began in 2001 when she was in her twenties. She found two lumps on her right breast during a self-examination. Luckily, those were benign, but after that, she was very aware of her breast cancer risk.

“When I turned 40, I had my first mammogram. The doctor called and asked me to come in for an ultrasound because they wanted to look more closely at an area. I wasn’t that concerned because my previous lumps were not cancerous, so I was fairly surprised when I received a cancer diagnosis,” Muyingo explained. “However, the doctor explained that it was caught early, so my chances of beating it were very good.”

“I had a lumpectomy to have the cancer removed, but after the surgery, my doctor was worried the cancer cells had spread, so soon after, I also had my lymph nodes removed. That was the worst; going back in for a second surgery was difficult when I was still recovering from the first. I really wish they had done both at the same time.”

Muyingo said before her surgery, only her husband and two good friends knew about her cancer diagnosis. After hearing about needing chemotherapy and radiation, she knew she had to tell more friends and family. “Initially, I just wanted to do it alone. My surgery was a year after COVID hit the world, and I didn’t want to share more bad news with people. I didn’t like the way people reacted when I told them I had cancer. Some friends were disappointed that I had not told them earlier, and they asked me, ‘Why would you want to go through that alone?’”

“I learned that when I told people I had cancer, everyone looks at you like you're dying. It is tough to tell people, but my doctor said I will be fine. So I told people that if I follow the path laid out by the doctor, I will be fine. That reassured friends that I was not dying, but I did still have a challenging road ahead with chemo and radiation,” Muyingo explained.

Before starting chemo, Muyingo talked to a few breast cancer survivors with whom she was paired through the ACS. “These mentors were incredibly helpful in providing ideas of items I might need, sharing what they had learned, and ultimately reassuring me that I would be okay. If you have received a cancer diagnosis, I would highly recommend finding survivors.”

Muyingo had 12 rounds of chemo and shared, “Chemo was really tough. I lost my hair and that was a very physical reminder that you are sick, regardless of whether you feel good that day.

It has been three years since Muyingo’s radiation ended and she still will take a medication for another two years to help prevent the cancer from returning.

“It’s a new normal that you have to get used to, there are still some tough days,” she said.

Cost is always a concern when it comes to cancer treatments. Muyingo said she is really thankful to be working for the State.

“It ended up not being as expensive as I predicted, thanks to the State health care plan. I also received additional financial support from Firefly Sisterhood and ACS, which was incredible. My supervisor and the human resources team were also very supportive and flexible.”

Muyingo walks every Saturday morning with friends at the Mall of America, a ritual she kept doing through treatment. “Staying connected with friends was an important part of my journey. Staying positive and praying has been important before during and after my treatment,” she added.

This was also the fourth year Muyingo organized a walk team for the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Walk to raise money for research. It was held at the Mall of America this last Saturday and her team was significantly larger than her normal Saturday walking group. “I was so thankful to have MAPE breast cancer shirts this year to give to my team. I am thankful that MAPE is raising awareness. The rates of breast cancer continue to rise for younger people so our work is not over yet.”