As I scrolled my LinkedIn homepage, I came across some very disturbing pictures of Beth Whangaa. After her breast cancer surgery (Total Bilateral Mastectomy) she decided to share her story and her sufferings by posting her bare pictures on Facebook. The aim was to shake the world by showing her scars and highlight how important prevention is.
I was shaken! And I believe that every woman who looks at the scars of amputation on her body will be perturbed to the extent that they start taking care of themselves and of the women around them they really care about.
(not sure if I can copy the pictures directly in my blog)
Whangaa, a nurse by profession, and a mother of four, was diagnosed with breast cancer on her 32nd birthday. She is a carrier of BRCA2 gene that puts her to an increased risk of breast and ovarian cancer. She underwent a double mastectomy, a hysterectomy, lymphadenectomy and melanoma lumpectomies. A lady, who was under knife so many times losing her two major female organs and fighting the beast named cancer, stood very strong baring her scars. She chose to speak out about her agony for the sake of others affected by cancer.
"Your scars are a physical or emotional representation of a trial you've been through. They show that you came through the trial and survived."
- Beth Whangaa
Going through Beth’s story, I came across the ‘SCAR PROJECT’. It is painful to know how cancer is hurting millions of lives across the globe; both physically and psychologically. The SCAR PROJECT brings to light the courage and spirit of breast cancer survivors through its raw yet beautiful photographs.
(Few cropped images from the SCAR PROJECT)
In past few years the awareness about this deadly disease is on a rise. I work in a busy diagnostics department of a big hospital. I have witnessed a significant growth in the number of females who choose to get their preventive breast examination done every year by getting a breast mammogram and ultrasound breast done.
It is very wisely said,“Prevention is better than cure”. There is an important learning which I got from the industry experience. There is no better tool than self breast examination to detect any untoward changes in your body. The five step self breast examination is explained in the image below:-
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| 5 Step Self Breast Examination |
Regular self breast examination can aid detection of breast cancer at a very early stage. A yearly mammogram and Ultrasound breast for females above 35 years of age is an important preventive measure. For females below 35 years only ultrasound breast is recommended.
Not even in dreams we would consider falling prey to the beast named cancer. But, the wretchedness of cancer is such that it wouldn't knock the door before entering one's life.
THINK & ACT!!
Not even in dreams we would consider falling prey to the beast named cancer. But, the wretchedness of cancer is such that it wouldn't knock the door before entering one's life.
THINK & ACT!!
