It’s thrilling to feel attractive again after my breast surgery
Hat’s off to designer of henna tatts Boob check is a mystery Cancer risk from bacon Cancer mum’s joy as post-op lingerie model
ART One of Amy’s designs AN artist who draws henna tattoos on the heads of cancer patients says her designs give them the confidence to go out without hats or wigs.
Mum-of-two Amy Jones, 53, creates the intricate patterns for women who have lost their hair through chemotherapy or have conditions like alopecia.
Amy, of Southampton, said: “Hair is such a huge part of you, if you suddenly lose it, it can feel like a big part of yourself has gone.”
NHS worker Laura Hewett, 54, who had breast cancer, said: “Amy’s designs made me feel beautiful through a very dark time. After I had my first henna crown, instead of seeing sickness when I looked in the mirror, I saw art” NEARLY a quarter of women don’t know how to check their breasts for cancer, a study reveals.
It also found 24% wrongly believe stress raises their risk and 5% mistakenly think big boobs are a cancer liability.
A third incorrectly reckon being over 40 is linked to the disease.
Bupa Health Clinics said of its poll: “Contradictory information online is fuelling confusion.” EATING processed meat such as bacon and sausages increases women’s risk of developing breast cancer by 9%, a study found.
But there was no increased danger from eating red meats like steak and lamb, researchers said.
Lead author Dr Maryam Farvid of Harvard University, said: “Cutting down processed meat seems beneficial for prevention of breast cancer.”
BREAST cancer survivor Rachel Tink looks superglam in a fashion shoot that helped restore her confidence after a double mastectomy.
The mum was picked as the face of Debenhams’ Post-Surgery lingerie range after the Mirror invited readers to share how cancer had affected them.
Rachel, 38, said: “I couldn’t believe it. The pictures are fantastic.”
She was diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer five years ago after finding a lump.
Rachel said: “Four family members were all diagnosed in three years. As a result, I was pretty keen on checking myself. “I was given the devastating news I had been diagnosed at the age of
32. Having supported my mum, I asked if I could have a bilateral mastectomy. I couldn’t stand the thought of it coming back.”
The diagnosis came soon after she married her partner of 10 years, Eddie, 39, and they were keen to start a family.
Rachel said: “I underwent IVF days after my mastectomy, equipped with drain bags, a very swollen chest and a bag of needles.”
She fell pregnant naturally, giving birth to Rapha in August 2016 and Luca in April last year.
Just four months after having Luca, she took part in the photo shoot which was “empowering”.
Rachel added: “The very best part is I can support people on the same rollercoaster journey.”
Susie Calvert, director for lingerie at Debenhams, said: “We were overwhelmed by the women who entered.”
The Debenhams Post-Surgery lingerie range is on sale now. Fifty pence from every product sold goes to Breast Cancer Now. See debenhams.com/ lingerie/mastectomy-post-surgery.
I was given devastating news I had been diagnosed at age the 32
RACHEL TINK ON FINDING A LUMP IN HER BREAST