While there’s plenty of information about breast cancer symptoms, there’s less awareness of the symptoms of ovarian cancer. What would you suggest women keep a lookout for?
I suggest knowing your family history, knowing if you have aunts or grandmothers who passed from this disease. The BRCA gene is something more women should be conscious of, it has a direct connection and in carrying this gene you will know it increases your chances of having breast or ovarian cancer. Please take a minute to educate yourself.
The signs and symptoms are so subtle. I experienced lower back pain, feeling tired and pain in my lower abdomen. I mean.. these are symptoms every woman can experience on a monthly basis... it's why it is so hard to detect. Educate yourself and if your doctor isn't getting on top of everything, go to someone else who will. I just want to be very clear about this one thing, No— a pap test does not detect it. There actually is NO early detection of Ovarian Cancer. We are so behind and it fuels me to keep going, keep getting more funding for research.
Body positivity is so important and so many people hide the scars, cellulite, and stretch-marks that make us human and powerful. What sort of response did you get from showing your own scars in images?
It's sad, isn't it? What a beautiful strong human being can be made to feel about their bodies. We learn to hate it. I've loved mine for a long time, so when I began modeling at a size 14 girl, it really got a lot of attention, mostly because I looked happy. I was excited to see how much I could push the boundaries by modeling with my scars and bald head. I think people loved it... I think it was refreshing to see someone take something on so publically and show that this is life and real life includes scars.
No one is guaranteed an easy ride so you've better start loving what you've got.
What advice would you share for women who are struggling to feel confident?
If I had lived a life feeling insecure about how I looked and lacking in self-esteem, I know that getting through cancer would have been even more difficult— I would be living what could have been my last months with regret. Regret that I didn't enjoy, celebrate, thrive in this body that was whole and complete exactly as it was.
Do you really want to look back and say I didn't live while I had the chance, because of a mark, some extra weight.. or because of others opinions? Take it from me, we're closer to the crypt than the cradle.. get living and loving the body you're so lucky to have.