SHE is a stage 3 breast cancer survivor. It’s not something she identifies with because she doesn’t like labels, and because she believes everything flows, nothing is fixed, and a definition excludes the possibility for change.

So she has since changed her narrative.

She is and just like everyone else, Bertha Ngahan is trying to find her place in this world.

“Two years ago, I was standing in front of my students one morning. I began teaching, and in the middle of it, I stopped.

“Suddenly, I felt this overwhelmingly urge to cry. No warning, no treatment, just a flood of emotions.I couldn’t control myself.

“I excused myself and walked to my office, locked myself in the washroom, and broke down.

“I didn’t know why I was crying. I was having a good morning, but in that moment, I couldn’t call my boss, I couldn’t even speak, so I sent him an email, and this was his response.

“How are you? Good to see you. I told him, I walked into my class today, and I started teaching, and in the middle of it, I felt like crying, and you can see the rest of it.

“And his response was, go and rest well.

“I’ll cover. Now, go. So that’s the kind of support that helped me heal, that helped me thrive,” she said.

Ms Bertha shared her experience as a breast cancer survivor on Saturday evening, during the Susa Lounge: Connect for Cause in honour of International Women’s Day 2025.

It was a unique networking event, focused on women’s health and the importance of cancer prevention early detection and research.

This event was hosted by the Papua New Guinea Cancer Foundation; their first event of the year to celebrate, recognise, and appreciate women – our Mamas and Susas.

September 2021, that’s when she discovered the lump.

“October 2021, I came here to Moresby, underwent my first surgery. November 2021, a biopsy was done and the lump was removed.

“Mind you, I don’t live here in Port Moresby and I’ve had to fly back and forth for my treatments.

“December 2020, I received my official breast cancer diagnosis.

“January 2022, I began treatment plans and started with Tamoxifen.

“February to October 2022, I received chemotherapy.

“May 2022, I had my left breast removed and I was restaged to stage three because it was already spread in my lymph nodes and December 2022, I had my third surgery.

“I had both my ovaries removed and in June 2023, I had my first PET scan in Manila and I had my radiation therapy treatment plan. I received it at that time,” she said.

But because she chose not to undergo radiation therapy, she had to be monitored, meaning more tests. So the following year, she had another PET scan done last year and it showed no spread.

“January of this year, I had my fourth surgery.

“I had a lumpectomy and had the lump removed, but it was non-cancerous. And I’ve had to have monthly blood tests, six monthly scans already, and yearly PET scans. So that’s how much time I’ve taken off work,” she said.

“When I received my diagnosis, it felt like the ground beneath me was disappearing.

“I contracted COVID after I got discharged after my first surgery and had to be isolated for three weeks.

“It was in the third week that I received my diagnosis, December 1 to be exact, 2021, even though the results were ready a week prior,” she said.

It was a life-altering moment that affected multiple aspects of her life, physically, emotionally, financially, and professionally.

Her diagnosis didn’t just challenge her, but it transformed her.

“It forced me to redefine strength, find my voice, and embrace life in a way many never do,” she said.