A few months ago I was introduced to Sarah and I knew immediately I wanted to share her story with the ME&MY family. A journey of self-discovery tied into the loss of her hair during breast cancer treatment. Whilst we know not everyone with breast cancer will lose their hair, as a hair care company it’s a story I felt a connection with and wanted to share for Breast Cancer Awareness Month this October.  Every month I remind the ME&MY Family to check their breasts because I know early detection is key to better chances of survival and Sarah’s story is testament to this and why we continue encouraging you to check your breasts regularly (it’s super easy just jump in the shower and pop your hair treatment on and do your breast check while you wait). Sarah also shares more of her journey on Instagram @sarahdasilvaau and wrote a blog for Mamamia in 2019 if you would like to read about the early days of her diagnosis here: https://www.mamamia.com.au/breast-cancer-symptoms-pink-hope/ .

Sara x

“I learned that beauty comes from within”, Sarah’s Hair & Breast Cancer Story

In January 2019, my life changed forever. I had found a lump in my breast while doing a self check about a month earlier, and decided to get it checked out. After a multitude of tests and worries, my fears were confirmed. I was diagnosed with stage one triple negative breast cancer, the most aggressive kind. I was 27 years old, and it was a massive shock.

The doctors suggested doing genetic testing as I was so young, and I found out I have a mutation called BRCA1 which increased my chances of having breast cancer by up to 70%. My surgeon already had a chair booked for me at the cancer centre for my first round of chemo the following week at my first appointment. Overwhelmingly, I decided to hit it hard and fast with chemotherapy and a bilateral mastectomy.

Among all the overwhelming decisions,

one of my first questions I thought of was about something that felt part of my identity – my hair.

I had always had long hair and I was scared of such a massive transition. I had seen women go through this and take some semblance of power back by choosing when to cut their hair. I decided to wait until my hair started falling out. As scared as I was, I wanted to see and feel it all so I wouldn’t forget. One afternoon, my partner and a few friends came over and we shaved my head in the backyard. It felt heartbreaking, but empowering to see I could still embrace a crew cut, then being completely bald. I ended up loving my bald head, and even let my husband shave it a few more times to help it grow back evenly.

Now, 6 years later I am in full remission and my hair is down to my bum again! When my husband and I got married in Mexico 5 years later, my hair had fully grown back.

Everyone says how long my hair is and not many know the journey my hair has been on. When it started growing back, I found my first grey hair, a side effect of the stress my body had been through. My hair was wiry and extra curly at first. It took some time and care, but it grew back pretty fast.

I embraced all the styles as it grew: a pixie cut,

“Jerry Seinfeld” hair (that fluffy, awkward stage I used to giggle about with my friends), a curly bob, and everything in between.

I learned to appreciate who I am and how I looked without my long hair.

“I learned that beauty comes from confidence and self love –

not my hair length.”

I also learned that going through that journey meant so much more than worrying about my physical appearance. It was preparing me for the person I was about to become. It has been a journey in learning to love myself and let go of my fears. When I was diagnosed, I was a young girl full of fear. I was terrified of the unknown, of having no control over my life or my health. It was a massive wake up call. But it also turned me into the fearless woman I am today. Although I suffered for a while, learning through this experience taught me never to take a moment in life for granted. There is so much joy you can experience right now, even by taking a deep breath and coming into the present moment. Find what you are grateful for, what your purpose is and live it. You never know what is around the corner.

Your health really is your wealth. I was lucky because I caught my lump early. Don’t forget to check your breasts: Get to know how they feel normally. Use circular motions to check your breasts, and don’t forget your collarbone, ribs and armpits. It takes less than 5 minutes to find something that doesn’t feel quite right. Whether you’re on this journey yourself, or know someone who is… It really is about mind over matter.

“Embracing the unknown and becoming fearless changed my life in a way that I could never describe.”

I hope that I can pass this message of strength and hope on to anyone that needs to hear it.

You’re not alone.

– Sarah &