"I had no symptoms: My Personal Health Pathways recommended I get a mammogram, and this picked up an early-stage breast cancer, possibly saving my life" - Sameshni (43)

Sameshni shares her story in her own words:

I begin every year with a ritual centred on my health and wellbeing. A key part of this is doing my annual Health Check so that I maintain optimal health and keep my Vitality status at Diamond. This January was no different.

I diligently completed my health screenings, achieving within goal range in all five categories looked at (body mass index, blood pressure, blood glucose, cholesterol and smoking status). Yes, I admit it; I'm a bit of an overachiever. To my mind, when it comes to health and wellbeing, overachieving is non-negotiable. After being diagnosed with HIV in 2008 - something I have been very open about to raise awareness of healthy living to manage living with HIV - I made it an absolute priority to keep myself in good health. I eat healthy foods, maintain a fit and strong body through attending gym classes, running and hiking and manage my mental health. All of this has really kept me in excellent health and able to do all that I set out to in my personal and professional life.

There's nothing else like it in the world, and I was so excited to start using this platform

Part of my January ritual included downloading the Discovery Health app and activating something truly awesome. Early this year, Discovery Health launched Personal Health Pathways for Discovery Health Medical Scheme members over 18 years of age. There's nothing else like it in the world, and I was so excited to start using this platform. It basically tailors a health roadmap for each Scheme member based on a huge amount of information on who they are and how healthy they are - from their age, sex, health risk factors and more. I found it incredible that there would be a tailored health pathway developed just for me, with actions to take by a set date that would speak directly to my health needs.

"One of the 'next best actions' recommended to me was to have a mammogram"

When I activated my Pathway, one of the so-called 'next best actions' recommended to me was to have a mammogram. I am over 40, so this made sense. Honestly, a mammogram was something I'd considered but never really seriously acted on.

I reached out to my family doctor, an advocate for women's health. "Go," she said. Also, a persistent voice, perhaps my intuition, told me I couldn't postpone this health check any further. I needed to go for a mammogram. I was also determined to complete this next best action in my Personal Health Pathway by the final date to do it by - 19 February 2025 (all next best actions come with a time frame).

"The mammogram itself was a blur of cold plates and pressure"

So, I secured the first available appointment: 14 February 2025. Valentine's Day. A day that will forever be etched in my memory

Nerves and some anxieties were constant companions leading up to the test and during the appointment. Having never gone for a mammogram before, I wasn't sure what to expect.

The healthcare professionals at the radiology centre were angels. They explained every step, calmed my nerves, and constantly checked on me.

The mammogram itself was a blur of cold plates and pressure. But, when the doctor asked for a retake of one of the images, a feeling of fear grew inside my mind. I tried to dismiss it, to tell myself I was overreacting, to wait for them to share results.

Then came the ultrasound. And the uncontrollable tears and an overwhelming fear consumed me. I knew at that point that something was wrong. The doctor confirmed my fears.

"My saving grace here was that I had listened to my intuition, and I had the screening done, despite not having a family history of breast cancer, nor experiencing any symptoms at all"

They had picked up an unfamiliar solid mass in my left breast and had requested permission for an immediate biopsy. My world seemed to blur, emotions crashing over me that were too intense to describe.

The waiting for results stretched into an eternity until Monday, 17 February. At 1600, the phone rang. The words I'd feared, the words that shattered my world, were spoken: "Sameshni, I am sorry, you have stage 1 breast cancer." I think my saving grace here was that I had listened to my intuition, and I had the screening done despite not having a family history of breast cancer or experiencing any symptoms at all.

I could never have imagined myself going through this - a breast cancer diagnosis. I am young, fit, healthy and strong. It's hard to understand. But here I am. Perhaps my superpower is taking what's dealt to me and deciding on how I will respond, rather than focusing on the shock and questioning.

Since then, I've begun treatment and immersed myself in understanding this journey fully. Like my HIV diagnosis, this isn't a story of defeat. It's a story of courage. It's a story of facing fear head-on, of listening to that inner voice, of taking control, of being in a battle I intend to win. This is a story of a conqueror!

- Watch Sameshni share the story of her HIV diagnosis and her inspiring journey towards health and wellbeing.

Personal Health Pathways allowed for the early detection of my cancer

Having access to Personal Health Pathways has been invaluable to me. It provided the guidance I needed to prioritise my health and led me to schedule a mammogram, which I believe has allowed for the early detection of my cancer. Without PHP, I might not have been aware of the specific steps I needed to take for my health as a woman over 40 years old. This proactive approach has made a significant difference in my journey, and I am grateful for the digital "nudge" that PHP provided.