Recently, I came across another post in our community about a young kababayan diagnosed with cancer while on a student visa.
My heart broke reading it.
Moving to New Zealand already comes with challenges. Being diagnosed with a serious illness far away from family and support systems makes it even harder.
As a nurse, I have seen this many times.
Some patients are young.
Some are parents.
Some had no symptoms until it was discovered.
Some thought it could never happen to them.
Cancer doesn’t always wait for retirement.
It doesn’t always come with a warning.
And that is why prevention and early detection matter.
Three Things We Can Do Today
1. Know Your Family History
Talk to your parents, grandparents, and relatives.
Understanding your family health history may help identify risks early and guide conversations with your healthcare provider.
2. Attend Recommended Screening Programs
Many cancers have better outcomes when found early.
Examples include:
– Breast screening
– Cervical screening
– Skin checks
– Bowel screening
Don’t ignore reminders from your doctor or healthcare provider.
3. Prioritise Healthy Daily Habits
Small habits compound over time.
Focus on:
– regular exercise
– quality sleep
– healthy nutrition
– maintaining a healthy weight
– limiting smoking and excessive alcohol
Perfection isn’t required.
Consistency matters.
My Personal Approach
Because cancer has touched my own family, this topic is deeply personal.
My grandmother passed away from cancer.
My uncle had cancer.
My auntie had cancer.
There is a history of cancer in our family, which is why I try to be proactive about my health.
Today, aside from regular health checks and healthy lifestyle habits, I also choose to support my overall wellbeing with supplements.
One of my personal favourites is Hemohim.
I don’t take it as a treatment for cancer, and I don’t take it because I expect miracles.
I take it as part of my personal wellness routine because I want to look after my health, support my energy levels, and continue serving my family, community, and businesses.
What I find interesting about Hemohim is that it was originally developed through Korean research and has received significant support from Korean government-backed scientific institutions. That commitment to research is one of the reasons it caught my attention.
Of course, there are thousands of supplements available today.
The most important thing is to make informed decisions, seek professional advice when needed, and choose products that align with your personal health goals.
The Power of Early Detection
One thing I have learned as a nurse is this:
The earlier a problem is found, the more options people often have.
We cannot control everything.
But we can control whether we pay attention to our health.
We can book that appointment.
We can attend that screening.
We can make healthier choices.
We can look after ourselves before symptoms appear.
For me, that’s not living in fear.
That’s living with wisdom.
Let’s continue praying for healing for those currently facing cancer.
And let’s continue reminding each other that our health is one of our greatest assets.
Because our families need us.
And the dreams we are building are worth protecting.