Masoe Tanya Ah-Him Mila survived breast cancer and hopes that by telling her story, she will help others who are fighting this deadly disease.

The 39-year-old said even though her journey was hard, she was able to make it through the help of her parents, family and her best friend, whom she now calls her brother, Atapana Fa'aui.

Masoe said it all started in 2019 when she was ready to fly to Japan to watch the Rugby World Cup.

"My hopes shattered when I went to the hospital to have a check-up for a small lump on one of my breasts, that's when the doctor told me that I have breast cancer, stage two," she said in tears.

Masoe said she didn't tell her parents or any of her family and friends, but decided to inform them of the sad news when it was time for her surgery.

She said she was diagnosed with this disease that week and started treatments for two weeks in a row. 

It was the third week when she told her parents, family and her friend, "Pana" about it.

"My brother, Pana, was there right from the start, and I am truly amazed by the love of this friend," she said.

"He was always supporting me together with my parents, who were the ones I looked up to to make sure I win this battle."

Masoe said she went through six months of chemotherapy and it was like hell.

"I had faith in God that He could put me through all these challenges of the disease together with the support of my family," she said.

"Uncle Maualaivao Pat Ah Him was the first one to fly from Samoa to support and care for me while I was going through this difficult journey."

Being a fighter, Masoe said she was thankful that this didn't happen to one of her parents or a family member because she could not cope seeing them in pain and the tribulations she went through.

Masoe is currently in Samoa with her friend "Pana" doing her friend's Samoan Soga'imiti to celebrate their 40th birthday.

"He had his pe'a done today (Saturday) and I will have one on my hand after he has done his pe'a," Masoe said.

"This is how close we are and I thank God for the gift of family and friends.

"My cancer was aggressive, and we needed to operate straight away. I had just purchased tickets to go to Japan for the World Cup Rugby Union. Innocently, I asked if I could do the operation when I came back, and the doctor told me I wouldn't make it another Christmas if we waited.

"In May 2020, I decided to have a mastectomy on my other breast. I know my cancer will come back, so I must be vigilant as I don't know when or where."

Masoe said that when she knew she had overcome cancer, she has been living her life to the fullest, knowing that this is the only medicine to be able to live longer.

"Happiness, I believe, is the medicine for people who have won their battle against cancer, don't regret having that battle, it's all challenges of life to test our faith," Masoe said.

"I don't regret having cancer; this motivates me to be happy and enjoy life while still having ongoing treatments.

"My message to all the people out there who are battling this deadly disease is to be strong, have faith in God and be happy, live like there is no tomorrow."

Being the cheerful person she is, she is thankful when she comes to Samoa.

"Samoa is my healing ground all the time, and my family and friends," she said.

Masoe has been residing in Sydney, Australia with her parents and family.

Masoe said she took time away from work to support her dearest bestie "Pana" while going through his Soga'imiti journey and her relationship with him is a testimony of true friendship that will last forever.

"This is my testimony of my journey in battling breast cancer, and I hope it will help motivate anyone who is going through the pain of this deadly disease," Masoe said.

Masoe is from the village of Malie and is a strong executive member of the Sydney Marist Old Pupils Association.