MRS South Africa's First Princess, Noeline Rajbally is back and ready to rumble after she was diagnosed with breast cancer in November 2023.
The 45-year-old beauty queen from Durban, KZN, was crowned on 17 November. She was diagnosed with cancer shortly before the finale but went to compete.
She recently completed her final radiation session and is getting ready to go to China for an international pageant called Mrs Globe journey.
“I won’t let cancer define me. I want to use my experience to raise awareness and help women on their health journey and in their lives. I share my story because I'm a healthy, active woman without a family history of breast cancer. No smoking and drinking habits, yet I was diagnosed with cancer," Noeline said.
“This has taught me that early detection is crucial. My appeal to other women is, be aware of the signs, check your bodies regularly, go for screenings, if you are worried and stay healthy."
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Noeline said she found the lump in her breast at the right time. She sees that as a blessing in disguise.
“I was getting ready for another eventful day two or so weeks before the Mrs SA finale. Knowing I’d be busy, I got my social media content ready for the day. But when I got up, my legs were numb and I fell, hitting and bruising my wrist.
“The day went on without a hitch, and that night I applied a strong pain-relief spray. I felt some of it on my chest and it caused a burning sensation on my skin, I tried to rub it off immediately. That’s when I found the lump. To me, it seems like divine intervention. I probably wouldn't have found it so early,” she said.
She underwent surgery one week after the finale, followed by 30 radiation therapy sessions, five days a week for six weeks.
“I'm more than just a cancer survivor. I'm a wife, mum, entrepreneur and life coach. This experience and my experience with Mrs SA gave me a new perspective on who I am and what I’m capable of. I feel empowered and purpose-driven to elevate and inspire other women and children. That’s exactly why I entered Mrs SA in the first place, and why I’m going to Mrs Globe in a few days' time,” Noeline said.
She will be representing Mzansi at the Mrs Globe pageant that starts on Friday, 1 March to Sunday 10 March.
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