Box Hill North woman Sufi Salieh driven to oncology after battling Wilms’ tumour
This impressive 21-year-old is determined to help those facing cancer after living through her own battle with the life-changing disease.
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A young aspiring oncologist has been driven to help those facing cancer by her own battle with the life-changing disease.
Box Hill North’s 21-year-old Sufi Salieh has long been determined to pursue a career in medicine, but only discovered her passion to get into medical research when she became a patient herself.
“Experiencing cancer helped me find my purpose in life,” she said.
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Sufi was finishing the first year of her biomedical science degree at Deakin when she sought treatment for back pain.
Believing the pain was related to her reproductive system, a doctor operated on Sufi to treat polycystic ovary syndrome.
But a week after the surgery her back pain remained and a CT scan revealed a lump on her kidney about 16cm in diameter.
“By that time I had shortness of breath,” she said.
In January 2018 Sufi underwent surgery to remove the tumour, where surgeons discovered she had a rare type of cancer — Wilms’ tumour — and would need radiation treatment and six months of chemotherapy.
“It was really tough for me and my family.”
Sufi said she then went through a very challenging period, having to completely change her lifestyle as she dealt with the physical and psychological effects of treatment.
While undergoing the treatment was incredibly tough, she said the process made her realise she was fortunate to be able to receive it.
“I did have access to healthcare and treatment and there are patients out there who don’t.”
Sufi, who has now been cancer-free for seven months, said she had a friend who was faced with untreatable cancer.
“Before I was diagnosed with cancer I wanted to go into paediatrics,” she said.
“After the endless support and love I received in hospital, I want to be able to do the same for those struggling by devoting my time to oncology research and treatment to help those just like me.”
Sufi has been given $2000 from the Redkite and Coles Dare to Dream Scholarship program to put towards her studies as she prepares to apply for medical school.
She has also joined the Victorian and Tasmanian Youth Cancer Action Board to help improve treatment for younger patients because of the unique challenges they face due to their stage of life.
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