Breast Cancer and tattoos, giving some control in an uncontrollable situation

    Monday, 21 October 2024 12:00

    By Tonya Organ

    Dr. Sonya Corbin-Dwyer and Dr. Jennifer Buckle of Grenfell Campus have been doing research for the past ten years on memorial tattoos, which are done in remembrance of a loved one or pet.

    The topic was breast cancer on last week’s edition of the Plain Truth. Host Paula Sheppard says this disease affects both women and men and this year 30,500 women and 390 men will be diagnosed. Sheppard says many people opt for the surgical option which leaves scarred tissue. Guests Dr. Sonya Corbin-Dwyer and Dr. Jennifer Buckle of Grenfell Campus have been doing research for the past ten years on memorial tattoos, which are done in remembrance of a loved one or pet. Corbin-Dwyer says they had 11 women participate in the research project and some had mastectomy tattoos. She says they ranged in age from 42 to 65 and the age of diagnosis was between  34-58. Corbin-Dwyer says  listening to these women tell stories about their journey was really inspirational. She says one of their key findings found similarities with those who had memorial tattoos and the tattoos gave them some control in an uncontrollable situation. The tattoos varied with the pink ribbon incorporated, a dragon, daffodils, and some even represented important people in their lives.

     

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