Why confidence counts for people with cancer
By Staff Writer | Presented by Look Good Feel Better |
ADVERTORIAL
For cyclist and avid athlete, Bridget, life has always been about competitive sport. Over the years, the 49-year-old has enjoyed all the usual benefits of a passion for wellbeing and fitness. Then, one day, her body shifted gear to take on a climb she never saw coming: breast cancer.
"I would love to say I was diligently checking my breasts, but my diagnosis was a complete fluke finding," she says. "Because I know my body so well, it alerted me straight away."
Bridget felt a hard, pea-sized lump on the side of her breast. Her hunch was right, it was breast cancer — and although her prognosis was excellent, her diagnosis set in motion a "raw rollercoaster" of grief.
"I am a single mother of two beautiful children: a 14-year-old daughter and a 12-year-old son," she explains. "The realisation that I had to be strong for them all whilst struggling to come to terms with it myself was unbelievably hard."
Look Good Feel Better
Amid the ups and downs, with modern-day treatment and support on her side, Bridget eventually found a "new normal".
"We all see the 'chemotherapy patient' on TV and imagine the worst — whilst it has been very challenging, I have somehow managed to make my life work around it," she says. "I still care for my children every fortnight, I still work, I still exercise and eat well, and I still socialise. However, I have really had to prioritise and focus on rest and recovery."
One tool in Bridget's cancer-care kit is Look Good Feel Better, a free program that teaches practical skills and strategies to help face cancer with confidence.
Look Good Feel Better face-to-face and virtual workshops and home-delivered confidence kits empower patients to manage the physical, psychological and social impacts of their treatment.
Skincare sessions provide info on soothing dryness and managing sun sensitivity; make-up classes offer tips for everything from redness and sallowness to drawing on eyebrows and eyelashes; and headwear tutorials impart wisdom on scarf styling and wig selection. Virtual workshops also offer practical strategies to improve fitness, mobility and mental wellbeing.
When Bridget heard about the workshops, she couldn't wait to attend. "I am a strong advocate for the motto 'look good feel better', there's a lot to be said for a positive presentation equalling a positive mindset," she explains.
And she's in good company. In a global survey of 26,000 Look Good Feel Better participants, 96 per cent said the program improved their self-image and 97 per cent found support through this experience.
For Bridget, top tips included the importance of sun care. "I had been getting sunburnt and didn't quite understand how much the chemotherapy affected my skin's natural sun protection ability," she explains.
"The other mystery for me was what to do with my bald, patchy head. I learnt that it doesn't produce oil without the hair, hence why it was so dry! Understanding that process better helped me to feel more optimistic that it will grow back and to manage those stages in between."
And the best part? Connecting with people who get it — meeting other participants, sharing experiences and hearing their stories. "There were so many little things I picked up from the beautiful volunteers who led the course, and the beautiful brave women who attended," she says.
Feel Better Month
In the coming year, thousands of cancer patients will benefit from the Look Good Feel Better program. In fact, 92 per cent of participants feel confident in their appearance after attending a Look Good Feel Better workshop, compared to 50 per cent pre-workshop.
And there's no better time to support cancer patients in their confidence journey than Feel Better Month this September.
Show you care with a pop of colour: during September, David Jones and Myer will donate $1 from every lipstick and lip gloss sold to Look Good Feel Better. * Supporters can also host fundraisers, donate and spread the word on social media, tagging @lgfbaustralia and #FeelBetterMonth2023.
Patients can take part in a range of curated, expert-led virtual workshops on topics like hair loss, regrowth and colouring; nail care; "scanxiety"; and scar and lymphatic massage. Look Good Feel Better is open to any adult or teen undergoing any type of treatment for any type of cancer.
This September, David Jones and Myer will donate $1 from every lipstick and lip gloss sold to Look Good Feel Better. * Purchase in-store or online and help Australians face cancer with confidence.
*David Jones (all month) | Myer (September 1 to 15, 2023)
