insideKENT Magazine Issue 55 - October 2016 | Page 78

HEALTH+WELLNESS

let’s talk about

BREASTS
Every year, more than 60,000 people are diagnosed with breast cancer in the UK. Since the
introduction of Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October 1993, every October since has
been awash with pink ribbons, which are now a global symbol for breast cancer awareness.
Breast Cancer Care - the only specialist breast cancer support charity in the UK - was the first
breast cancer charity in the UK to get involved in Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and through
it, has helped bring the subject of breast cancer to the forefront of people’s minds and to the
top of the health agenda in this country.

Tracy shares
her story

Tracy, from Gravesend, was diagnosed with
breast cancer in October 2009, at the age of 46.
“My whole world changed at that moment,” she
says. “Up until that point, I was working; had a
good social network; my family were all growing
up, and I was generally just getting on with life.”
Looking back, Tracy remembers the worst thing
about having treatment for breast cancer was
losing her hair, eyelashes and eyebrows. “It’s
like losing your identity,” she adds. “My family
were very supportive though, and my mum
attended every chemotherapy session with
me; we always went out for a meal together
afterwards as a treat for getting through it.”
Three weeks after Tracy’s chemotherapy ended
in May 2010, she had a mastectomy and
breast reconstruction using her tummy tissue,
something she managed to get through with
the support of family and friends. Today, Tracy
is a volunteer and also models at the Breast

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Cancer Care lingerie events. “Doing the events
has really boosted my body confidence and
I’m really grateful for that,” she says. "I feel
like I’m finding my way again - I’ve changed
my career and now work for a dating agency;
I love Zumba to keep fit, and I sing in a choir
too. I’m also incredibly proud of my children.
My daughter has just completed her masters
in Cancer at University College London and
is planning on doing a PHD, and my son is
currently at university.”
Next month, Tracy is even taking to the catwalk
at the Breast Cancer Care London fashion
show alongside 31 other people to show that
you can still look fabulous after a breast cancer
diagnosis. "Breast cancer is devastating,” she
says. “But with the help of friends, family and
Breast Cancer Care you can move on. I would
urge all women to check their breasts regularly
and to speak to their doctor if there’s anything
unusual.”