Cancer at 28: HOW I FACED MY DIAGNOSIS

Cancer charity Look Good Feel Better charity have supported Pelda on her journey through the unknown

PELDA Baran was 28 when she was diagnosed with breast cancer in February 2022. With no family history of the disease, she didn’t think for one moment it was a possibility, when she felt a lump. In fact, it was a friend who urged her to have it checked out in the end.

Pelda had previously moved to the UK from Turkey to do a Master’s degree in Psychology, and had just started working as a mental health support worker when she had the revelation. She was referred to a breast clinic, where she underwent a mammogram, ultrasound, and biopsy, all on the same day. But within a week, the results came back and it was confirmed that it was indeed as she feared –cancer.

“Everything just stopped in its tracks. I froze and simply couldn’t take it in. It just doesn’t make any sense. No one in my family has had cancer, and I was terrified”, she explains of the overwhelming emotion.

“It was thanks to the fantastic support of the nurses and doctors, as well as the team at Look Good Feel Better that I got through what was an incredibly difficult time.

“I underwent chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatment, as well as a mastectomy in 2022. One of the many distressing outcomes, which really affected my self-confidence, was that I lost not only my hair, but also my eyelashes and eyebrows. It really caused me huge distress and I could barely look at myself in the mirror.”

When she turned to the internet to find out what support was available, Pelda came across Look Good Feel Better’s workshops, which are run by volunteer beauty professionals. She promptly signed up to three workshops: haircare, makeup, and nailcare.

“The advice the professionals gave us on how to look after ourselves, our hair, skin, and nails was so helpful for me at a time when my confidence was low”, she adds.

“The other thing that really made a difference was connecting with other people undergoing treatment for cancer. Suddenly I felt less alone.”

Thankfully, Pelda is now officially cancer-free and together with support from her family and a group of lovely friends, she is now courageously rebuilding her life, one day at a time.

Look Good Feel Better knows how difficult it is to manage the physical and emotional side-effects of cancer treatment, and are delighted to have supported Pelda.

For more information, visit lgfb.co.uk or go to lookgoodfeelbetter.co.uk/ workshops to book a workshop.