A woman who survived breast cancer has launched an initiative to support others to get in touch with their bodies – through the lost art of letter writing.
The aim of the project is to collect letters from women everywhere who’ve undergone surgery for breast cancer or following a BCRA2 diagnosis who want to share their ‘intimate, courageous and sometimes hilarious Dear Boobs letters’.
The founder, New Zealand-based Emily Searle, said she started writing letters to herself as a way to process her feelings during the course of her 14 rounds of chemotherapy after she was diagnosed with breast cancer in July 2016.
Speaking to FEMAIL, the 37-year-old revealed that it wasn’t until she was facing surgery for a double mastectomy that she started writing letters to her breasts directly.
Emily Searle (pictured) was diagnosed with breast cancer in July, 2016. Initially she started writing as a way to process difficult thoughts and feelings
The 37-year-old revealed that it wasn’t until she was facing surgery for a double mastectomy that she started writing ‘letters’ to her breasts directly
‘As my breast surgery date came closer, and after a little ignoring and much agonising over why I was feeling so low and sad about losing my floppy, uneven, cancer-filled breast, and its partner, I wrote to them: ‘Dear Boobs…’ I haven’t looked back,’ she said.
In addition to co-ordinating the scheme, Ms Searle, a qualified physiotherapist and childbirth educator, is wife to Tim and two young children: Matilda, six and Stanley four.
She shared her journey began when she was diagnosed with breast cancer at age 36. Although pro-active about her health, Ms Searle said the disease has taught her the value to listening to her body.
‘I have since met quite a few women younger than I was when diagnosed, and a couple of women in their late 20s who have breast cancer, she told Villianesse.
‘It’s not a rare disease. It certainly doesn’t discriminate by age.’
‘Be vigilant,’ she urges. ‘If your GP tells you that you are too young for breast cancer, find another one – preferably that day!’
Emily (pictured left) is a qualified physiotherapist and childbirth educator, and wife to Tim (pictured right)
Ms Searle said treatment for her cancer lasted over 14 rounds of chemotherapy and included a double mastectomy and five weeks of radiation, and a breast reconstruction.
The act of letter writing was something she said she embraced following the suggestion of a psychologist to help her through some of the more difficult aspects of her treatment and as her surgery approached, to say goodbye to her breasts.
‘The initial suggestion to write letters to help with the challenging dark days that were part of the process for me going through treatment,’ she told FEMAIL.
The act of letter writing was something Emily said she embraced. The suggestion was made by a psychologist to help her through some of the more difficult aspects of her treatment
Letter writing also gave Ms Searle a way to articulate some of the more complex emotions was facing at the time.
‘I have processed fear, disbelief, disassociation, sadness, grief, anger, the reality of surgery, loneliness, loss of control of femininity, despair, defeat, overwhelm, vulnerability, confusion and my own mortality,’ she said.
‘Letter writing – or narrative therapy – I later discovered, has strong evidence in the way it can empower people to confront problems – and in my situation, it not only helped with getting through chemo, but it also helped me to accept my post-surgical chest.
‘After writing the letters I certainly felt an ease come over me, I had gotten a load off my chest, in the form of words, before I literally got a load off my chest!’
Emily’s journey continues with ovarian surgery scheduled for next year
Ms Searle revealed her journey continues with ovarian surgery scheduled for next year. During her treatment, she had testing which showed she carried the BRCA2 gene which puts her at a higher risk of developing breast cancer and ovarian cancer at a young age.
Although full recovery is a way off, the active mother is dedicated to ensuring her Dear Boobs project can, and will, help as many woman as possible.
Her aim is to create a book with the goal of getting 1000 copies into doctors’ waiting rooms, cafes and coffee tables.
Her aim is to create a book with the goal of getting 1000 copies into doctors’ waiting rooms, cafes and coffee tables
‘I was encouraged to put the idea out there to see what would happen, so on the final day of my treatment, I did. I launched the Dear Boobs Project and waited.’
‘I was encouraged to put the idea out there to see what would happen, so on the final day of my treatment, I did. I launched the Dear Boobs Project and waited.’
‘I had to share this thing I had found so useful with at the very least other breast cancer survivors.
‘I hope the stories will educate and inform supporters and families about the significance and sometimes ongoing impact of breast cancer.’
Dear Boobs might be in its early stages, but since its launch on June 31, Ms Searle has received 83 letters and hundreds have joined her Facebook community.
The women are from all walks of life, aged between 29 and 77. They’ve contributed letters ranging from a simple five line poem to a three page long heartfelt letter. The project’s reach has expanded to include those from the United States, Ireland and Australia.
Emily hopes the project help women feel their own relationship ‘with their breasts, boobs, tatas, lady lumps, bosoms, whatever they call theirs, really does matter’
‘I hope that for the women who have had personal experience with breast cancer, reading Dear Boobs will not only make them feel that they are in great company, but also that their own relationship with their breasts, boobs, tatas, lady lumps, bosoms, whatever they call theirs, really does matter.’
‘I have had feedback from every single woman that has sent me a Dear Boobs letter, there is not one that didn’t find the process of writing to their boobs helpful,’ she continued.
‘In their responses, words like empowered, closure, acceptance, peace, calmness, release and relief, feature often.
‘For me reading these is one of the best parts of the project,’ she said.
If you wish contribute to publishing costs or donate letters to the Dear Boobs project please email Emily Searle at dearboobs@outlook.com