Empowered Resilience
Prem Govender’s Inspiring Journey Through Breast Cancer
As October unfolds, Breast Cancer Awareness Month reminds us not only of the importance of early detection and care but also of the incredible strength found in stories of survival. Among these, Prem Govender’s journey shines brightly, offering us a powerful testament to resilience, grace, and the unbreakable human spirit. Her experience with breast cancer is more than a battle fought—it’s a celebration of hope, courage, and a renewed outlook on life.
Prem, the Chairperson of the South African Institute of Professional Accountants (SAIPA) Board, Professional Accountant (SA), and an accomplished leader, is a role model for countless women striving to find balance in their professional and personal lives. This October, as we honour Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Prem shares her recent experience with the disease, transforming her personal story into an inspiring message of strength that reaches beyond her industry and into the hearts of many.
A Life-Changing Moment
In the winter of 2019, while participating in a SAIPA board meeting via teleconference from her Durban office, Prem felt a small lump in her breast—a seemingly minor discovery that would soon shift her entire world.
“I felt this hard little lump,” she recalls. Like many, she brushed aside her concern in the busyness of life. But the nagging feeling wouldn’t go away. The next morning, during a quiet walk, she felt the lump again, and the reality sank in. It was time to act. She immediately called her sister, who urged her to get screened without delay. This led to an urgent visit to the doctor, beginning a journey she never anticipated.
Within hours, Prem underwent a mammogram and a series of tests including a biopsy that confirmed her deepest fear: “It’s definitely cancer,” her doctor told her. The weight of those words hit hard.
“I was crushed, my world stopped,” she admits. But deep inside, her resolve began to grow. Determined to confront the disease head-on, she quickly booked her surgery.
A Surprising Discovery
During her surgery, Prem’s doctor discovered something unexpected. While removing the initial lump, he decided to take another tissue sample for good measure—a decision that would prove life-changing. The second lump, though initially undetected, turned out to be malignant.
“He said to me, ‘Prem, somebody was looking over you that day,’” she recalls. Her doctor explained that the cancer might have spread rapidly had the second lump not been removed. This precautionary step likely saved her life.
With the discovery of multiple lesions, 14 in total, Prem was faced with the possibility of more aggressive treatments, such as chemotherapy and radiation. However, her decision to undergo a mastectomy spared her from chemotherapy, and post-surgery results confirmed that the cancer had not spread, allowing her to avoid radiation as well.
“I got away completely just by giving up the breast,” she says with relief.
This decision, while difficult, brought her peace, knowing that it was a life-saving choice.
From Fear to Empowerment
As a wife, mother, businesswoman, and leader, Prem’s life was full of responsibilities. Now, she was faced with the daunting road of cancer treatment. Through it all, her courage never faltered. Her medical team reassured her that the cancer was likely caught early and together they discussed her options.
Prem’s decision to undergo reconstructive surgery was one she initially hesitated over. She was content to live without a breast, but her doctors convinced her that psychologically, reconstruction might help her recovery. The process was delayed by the onset of COVID-19, leaving her with a painful, temporary prosthesis for nearly a year before she could complete the reconstruction.
“I went through a hell of a lot,” she admits, but her resilience never wavered. In those trying moments, Prem learned the power of leaning on others. “I discovered that vulnerability is not a weakness, but a profound strength,” she shares.
Family and friends became her lifeline. In one conversation with her son, she found the perspective she needed to move forward. “Why me?” she asked him, to which he replied, “Why not you?”
It was a turning point that empowered her to stop seeing herself as a victim and instead embrace her role as a fighter. With this newfound understanding, Prem transformed her fear into fuel, facing each emotional and physical challenge with gratitude and courage.
Conclusion: True Wealth, True Health
SAIPA’s tagline, “Your Wealth,” often brings to mind financial success. Yet, as Prem’s story beautifully demonstrates, wealth extends far beyond monetary achievements. True wealth encompasses the richness of our health, the strength of our relationships, and the depth of our well-being.
Prem Govender’s journey through breast cancer reminds us all that real success is found in caring for ourselves and those around us. As we navigate the complexities of life, let us remember that our greatest assets are not measured by numbers, but by our capacity for resilience, compassion, and connection. Through her story, Prem invites us all to embrace the challenges we face with courage, knowing that in the process, we become even stronger than before.