Breast Health and Early Detection: Kateryna’s Story


January 27, 2025
Kateryna

“Every woman deserves the same chance to be treated,” says Kateryna. “Women are persons—individuals who deserve care. I want women to know they are worthy of prioritizing their health.”

When Kateryna immigrated to Canada from Ukraine in 1997, she brought with her a deep commitment to empowering others. Since joining COSTI Immigrant Services as a teacher in 1998, she has spent decades guiding newcomers through the challenges of building a life in a new country. 

Last year, Kateryna accompanied a group of women to Humber River Health’s Breast Health Clinic at the Wilson Campus for a breast cancer prevention workshop. For many participants, it was their first introduction to the life-saving importance of regular screening.

“These women come from places where their health is often overlooked,” Kateryna shared. “Many don’t realize how much can be prevented with early testing.” 

During the workshop, women were invited to volunteer for a mammogram. When hesitation gripped the group, Kateryna stepped forward. “I said, ‘Okay, I’ll go first.’ And then the others followed.” 

What began as a moment of leadership took an unexpected turn. Kateryna’s results were abnormal and required an urgent follow-up. The thought that it could be cancer was deeply unsettling, as Kateryna shared “I was 26 when I lost my mother to breast cancer. I was really scared.” 

The Humber team responded immediately, scheduling her biopsy before the clinic officially opened. “I believe the whole team came in early just to treat me,” Kateryna recalled. “They were so kind, so gentle. I will carry their kindness with me forever.” 

Despite her anxiety, the team encouraged her to continue with her planned summer trip to Portugal. “They told me, ‘Go, enjoy your time. Even if there’s something, we have the best surgeons in Toronto. Just relax and rely on us.’” 

While exploring the Azores Islands, Kateryna visited the renowned chapel, Our Lady of Hope Convent. As she stepped outside the chapel, her phone buzzed with her results: benign. “Standing on the porch of that church, hearing that news—it felt like a spiritual moment. I was so relieved!” 

Kateryna’s journey reinforced her belief in the power of early detection but also exposed the barriers many women face in accessing care. 

“There are women who are afraid to tell their husbands they need to go. Some are scared to take the bus. Others rely on friends for rides but can’t ask them to cover parking fees. So, they just don’t go,” Kateryna explained. “Isn’t that heartbreaking? To risk your life because of a parking fee?” 

These barriers highlight deep inequities in our healthcare system. “Every woman deserves the same chance to be treated,” she said. “Women are persons—individuals who deserve care. I want women to know they are worthy of prioritizing their health.” 

Equitable access to healthcare isn’t a luxury—it’s a necessity. Kateryna’s story reflects the compassionate, proactive care Humber River Health provides every day. But it also shines a light on the gaps that still exist. 

Plans to expand essential services at Humber’s Finch Campus are one way to bridge these gaps—ensuring that financial or cultural barriers don’t stand in the way of life-saving care. 

These initiatives are only possible through the generosity of donors who believe in keeping universal healthcare alive and is a promise worth keeping—and who choose to act on that belief.