Beauty After Breast Cancer

Beauty After Breast Cancer

Cancer and Society Graphic novel Embroidered Cancer Comic Embroidered Cancer Comic Sima Elizabeth Shefrin Jessica Kingsley Publishers Ltd, 2016, pp ...

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Cancer and Society

Graphic novel Embroidered Cancer Comic

Embroidered Cancer Comic Sima Elizabeth Shefrin Jessica Kingsley Publishers Ltd, 2016, pp 32

Textile artist Sima Elizabeth Shefrin stiches an amusing depiction of one couple’s journey with prostate cancer in her Embroidered Cancer Comic. A refreshing perspective on various topics from diagnosis and tricky decisions to treatment and handling change, this simple yet charming comic follows Elizabeth and her husband Bob as they come to terms with his aggressive prostate cancer diagnosis. The couple see their daily life shift dramatically as the ramifications of Bob’s treatment greatly alter the dynamics in their relationship. Most of the dialogue is taken from real conversations that occurred in the 3 years it took to sew the 60 embroidered line drawings, and the effort involved reflects her dedication to her craft, as well as to her husband. Unique in medium and rare in viewpoint, Shefrin’s open and

honest comic bravely reveals a much neglected side of a prostate cancer diagnosis: the impact of treatment on a relationship, intimacy, and sexual function. As Bob progresses with treatment, the influx of cancer drugs gradually dissolves his libido, adding pressure to already challenging circumstances. Shefrin uses humour to confront the trepidation, difficulties, and fears that any couple faced with prostate cancer must grapple with. The light-hearted dialogue and simple embroidery echo the composure and alacrity with which Shefrin has attempted to “be a pillar of strength” for her husband. Shefrin’s body of work, Stiching for Social Change, includes quilts and illustrations about real people and global issues, interlaced with her vision for a better world. Once again she has

used her work to shed light on a taboo yet highly relevant subject, as she opens the dialogue for other couples battling prostate cancer. This comic tenderly displays a ferocious positivity and determination to persevere in the face of adversity. Despite taking admirable patience, the unusual choice of medium limits Shefrin. Bound by her needle, she leaves worthy topics unexplored leading her otherwise heart-warming comic to lack depth. Undoubtedly written for herself, as a means of coping with the severe diagnosis, the applications of this comic for couples in the cancer community could be far-reaching. An entertaining, high-spirited read that leaves the reader feeling contemplative and with nothing but the best wishes for Bob and his ongoing cancer battle.

Jessica Short

Book Beauty After Breast Cancer

Beauty After Breast Cancer Katelyn Carey, Joseph Linaschke No Scars No Stories, 2015, pp 179

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A diagnosis of breast cancer can be life altering. The prospect of a future that contains the possibility of lumpectomies, mastectomies, and breast reconstructions can be a daunting prospect, particularly in a society that values physical appearance so highly. For both men and women, the concept of losing a part of your body is huge, and can affect the way that others see you, and more importantly, how you see yourself. Through a series of portraits and biographies, Beauty After Breast Cancer unmasks the physicality of life after breast cancer and expertly shows that after surgery, a feeling of beauty, a renewed sense of identity, and a so-called new normal can be reached. The old adage “a picture is worth a thousand words” certainly comes into play in this book. The talented photographer Joseph Linaschke offers

the reader highly personal glimpses into the lives of the one man and 37 women featured. The biographies attached to the portraits can at times feel frustratingly short, and the curiosity that the photographs invoke is not always fully satisfied by the accompanying text. Importantly, however, each participant’s biography also includes the technical details of diagnosis and treatment. A brief, six to eight line introduction to each biography succinctly and clinically describes the diagnosis, treatment, and reconstruction that each person has gone though. Meanwhile, the main text is far more emotive in its content. Beauty after breast cancer excels in presenting the emotional journey that can accompany breast cancer. The photos accompanying the text are

unflinchingly honest in their portrayal of a range of emotional responses to the diagnosis. Some portraits evoke the urge to laugh at or make light of the situation, whilst others emphasise the need to fight the disease. One photograph, for example, reveals a tattoo that marks the word “fight” next to a symbol for breast cancer awareness. First and foremost, Beauty After Breast Cancer conveys a message of hope. Hope that after the ordeal of breast cancer treatment and diagnosis, there is the possibility of a life not only filled with beauty, but in which it is possible to feel beautiful. It is truly as author Katelyn Carey has written: “There is life, and beauty, and strength, and motherhood—even after breast cancer.”

Victoria Denny www.thelancet.com/oncology Vol 17 August 2016