EVERY year, there are creative initiatives and activities during October to create breast cancer awareness in fun-like, educating and informative ways. The National No-Bra Day observed on October 13, is one of the recent campaigns that has been attracting its own fame, and even raising some contentions. But to cancer survivors, their relatives and advocates, No-Bra Day is exactly the kind of radical approach needed to draw attention to cancer.

On the occasion, women are encouraged to go bra-less on the day as a show of support for their fellow females who have lost their breasts to cancer, and/or who are troubled by the disease in some way or another. The observance is believed to have originated in Canada in 2011 and is intended to summon attention to the deadly phenomenon that is responsible for the deaths of more than 500, 000 women worldwide each year, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO).

The activity has captivated media fame mostly in North America and also stimulated a lot of interest, especially on social media. However, it has incited some serious backlash with both men and women claiming that it only sexualises women’s bodies while simultaneously belittling a serious disease. Locally, the Guyana Cancer Foundation included National No-Bra Day in its 2017 schedule of awareness to bring awareness.

“I don’t see the No-Bra Day as contentious because I think it is creative and can really drive the level of awareness that we need to give more persons that reality check on cancer,” says Donald Joseph, an ardent cancer advocate, and one of three men who sits on the committee of the Cancer Foundation. He became an advocate about 10 years ago while he worked at Avon, which spearheaded the Avon Cancer Foundation in Guyana.

At first, his participation in cancer awareness was mandated by his employment but he eventually developed a personal passion, after recognising the impact of such actions in saving lives through early detection and offering hope to survivors and those who had been diagnosed with the disease. Joseph has since contributed to various health fairs, workshops, seminars, symposiums, outreaches and walks to sensitise women, men and youth on cancer.

“I think it is very important for men to be part of the awareness too because we need to be that support for our wives, girlfriends and generally our female friends and acquaintances, to help them become more aware of the need to have their check-up,” Joseph told Pepperpot.

This year he is in full support of all awareness activities including the No-Bra Day, and he is so far pleased with the level of response and awareness the Cancer Foundation has been generating countrywide and the impact these activities have been making on women.
Meanwhile, for Francine Leitch, age 22, awareness is crucial.
“No-Bra Day I think is part of efforts to have more creative and innovative activities that bring attention to breast cancer in the most naked form, and I see no problem with it because breast cancer is real especially for the women who have lost their breasts to the disease,” the young woman related.

A cancer survivor who is this month observing her first year being cancer-free, Leitch was diagnosed in October 2015 with one of the rarest types of cancer, mediastinal dysgerminoma. A mass was discovered behind her heart that propelled her into a year of radical treatment, that caused a heavy toll on Leitch and her entire family as she struggled through weakness, severe bouts of vomiting, diarrhea, pains and other side effects associated with chemotherapy.

Leitch had seven cycles of chemotherapy which comprised treatment sessions seven days per week, four hours per day. She was hospitalized three times and received 14 blood transfusions.
Last year, after several blood tests, Leitch was declared free of cancer cells. To her, early detection can make a big difference and she is therefore very supportive of awareness activities.

A member of the Cancer Foundation, Leitch offers counselling to other cancer victims as well as their relatives and friends. Support, she noted, is a crucial aspect of the healing process too, noting how her parents enhanced their medical and social knowledge to help their daughter through diagnosis and treatment. Today, both of her parents are cancer advocate sharing their experience to support other families and create awareness.

Before diagnosis, Leitch saw several doctors and endured numerous tests and varying treatment that all went in vain, as the young woman got sicker. The situation even became frustrating to her family as they sought physician after physician until a scan picks up Francine’s mass. A biopsy was later done and it was confirmed that she had cancer. Today, she is a third year medical science student at the University of Guyana, hoping to make a difference for others.

No Bra Day is also being observed by other sections of society. On Friday, GTT took their Pinktober Campaign to their Camp and Robb Street location in observance of No Bra Day. There, a number of male volunteers including GTT’s Chief Executive Officer, Justin Nedd, Robbie Singh from Pulse Entertainment, local producer Drew Thoven, and Kerwin Bollers of Hits and Jams Entertainment, all donned pink brassieres while sharing cupcakes to customers. Nedd said that the gesture helps to show that GTT is aware of the importance of spreading awareness and in providing support to those affected by breast cancer. As such, the organisation is ready and willing to ‘Do More’ as their motto says, in order to pledge their support to the cause.

Local entrepreneur Ashaka King also showed her support for No Bra Day, stating that for her, it is a symbol of liberation but also one of showing that there is a strong support system for breast cancer survivors.

“So much pressure goes into having breasts; they’re either too small, too long, too big- and we don’t take the time to celebrate just having them. Complaining about our breasts or being ashamed of them is a bit of a like a slap in the face to the cancer survivor, who had to get rid of hers to save her life. They’re just breasts, we’re lucky to have them and be healthy with them. And if more people could relieve themselves of the self-absorbed nature of petty ridicule, maybe then we could empathise as a unit and rally even harder and stronger for prevention and cure,” Ashaka said.

The Guyana Cancer Foundation offers free sonogram, mammogram and pap-smear to women, as well as counselling and support network for patients and relatives. October 20, will be observed as `Wear It Pink Day and awareness walk is schedule for October 21.