I miss
you
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More than 11,000 people were affected by breast cancer in Belgium in 2021. Unfortunately, this figure is incorrect.
Breast cancer also impacts their families, friends, loved ones, ...
The story of Zilfi: medical professional supporting her cousin through breast cancer
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According to the most recent statistics, over 11,000 women were diagnosed with breast cancer in Belgium in 2021, making this the most diagnosed cancer in women in the country. Unfortunately, this figure is incorrect. Breast cancer not only affects the lives of those directly diagnosed but also has a profound impact on their families, friends, loved ones, and colleagues.
Among those who often suffer silently and are deeply impacted by this devastating disease are family members, and for those family members who work in the medical field, the separation between personal and professional life can become especially blurred.
For these individuals, breast cancer is more than just a statistic or a patient at work; it becomes an intimate and deeply personal experience that intersects with their professional lives. As caregivers and healthcare professionals, they are accustomed to providing support and empathy to patients daily, but when breast cancer strikes their own family, they find themselves navigating a complex and emotionally charged journey that requires them to balance their roles as both medical experts and deeply concerned family members.
This is the story of Zilfi, who, along with her family, supported her cousin through 15 years of breast cancer treatment after being diagnosed at only 30 years of age.
Her cousin was treated in the same hospital and floor where Zilfi worked and, during COVID, it was she who went to her cousin’s home to give her treatments to spare her going to the hospital. Unfortunately, after 15 long years of courageously facing her illness, Zilfi’s cousin passed away in the hospital. This had a profound impact on her.
I believe it's crucial to acknowledge and emphasise the importance of the people surrounding the patient, as breast cancer can impact everyone, regardless of gender. It truly affects the whole family and support network, and it can happen to anyone at any age, disrupting not only the patient’s life but also the lives of their loved ones.
Pink October "I miss you" campaign
For some, «I miss you» reminds them of the pain in their hearts following the loss of a loved one, and the lack of understanding in the eyes of people around them. For others, it will be a matter of grieving for their previous life or for a breast, an important symbol of femininity and maternity.
«I miss you» is also a message of hope. Like a postcard that you send to a friend you are looking forward to seeing again. It is also the hope of soon regaining a new version of yourself, of re-emerging after multiple treatments.
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