Wilhelmina Obatola is a resident of Harlem, mixed-media assemblage artist, and breast cancer survivor. She uses objects she finds to create art that brings awareness to breast cancer and violence against women.

She talks to GHH about her personal fight with this disease.

Q: How did you first discover you had breast cancer?

A: I was first diagnosed with breast cancer in May of 1994 at the age 37. I found out accidentally while sparring in my karate class. I was hit on the breast and it felt like a lightening bolt went through me. I shrugged it off and thought I was okay, but the pain persisted. After three weeks I began asking other women if they ever had pain in their breasts and finally, one woman asked me whether the pain was sharp or dull. When I told her it was a sharp pain, she said I should go see a doctor.

My doctor did both a mammogram and an ultrasound. She saw something on the mammogram; a light shadow that was different from the rest of the image.  They performed a needle biopsy that same day. The radiologist knew something was wrong and did what was necessary to find out if my breast had cancer. I was grateful for anything that could give me relief from the pain. I found out it was caused by a cancerous lump on the back portion of my breast near the chest wall. The blow to the breast from karate class caused the lump to swell up so that it became painful and visible.

Q: Were there any particular obstacles you had to overcome in getting treatment?

A: I went to a few clinics before I found a place that would help me. I wanted to find out what was going on and begin treatment. At the first breast clinic they said the reason I had pain was because of a "complex cyst which could be aspirated, but which would probably return in time."  They also said that things like this were common for women my age so I shouldn't be too worried.

The doctor at this first clinic was also very rude and treated me like I was a child.  He patted me on the hand and said, "don't worry my dear; it's not cancer because cancerous lumps do not hurt." Then he said "you are too young and breast cancer doesn't run in your family so you have nothing to worry about."  Needless to say, that doctor was wrong on all counts.

Q: What are some of the emotions you felt when you got your diagnosis?

A: My doctor actually gave me the news over the phone. I was not going to come in and get the results. I was afraid of what she would say. When I finally got the results of the mammogram I think my emotions were typical: shock, denial, anger, fear. It took a couple of days afterward for the news to actually sink in.

Read more about Wilhelmina Obatola Grant by clicking the links below:

• Profiles of Hope: How cancer survivor Wilhelmina Obatola Grant brings awareness to breast cancer through art
• Profiles of Hope: How cancer survivor, Wilhelmina Obatola Grant brings awareness to breast cancer through art-Part 2
• Profiles of Hope: Cancer survivor Wilhelmina Obatola Grant talks about how she coped with her second breast cancer diagnosis

Profiles of Hope are health testimonials with Harlem community members written by HHPC and reviewed by our Health Advisory Board.