Nellie Gbadebo was diagnosed with breast cancer at 26, just three months after giving birth. She faced a distinct lack of representation before beginning her radiotherapy treatment, and has also been affected by cancer-related misinformation throughout her journey. “Some of the misconceptions that impacted me include the belief that young people don’t get cancer, that you don’t need to worry if there’s no family history, and that cancer is always a death sentence.” “I also grew up around the idea that you only need to see a doctor if you’re in pain, and that natural remedies or prayer alone can cure cancer. One particularly damaging belief was that speaking about cancer or getting checked could somehow ‘bring it to life.’ As a Black woman, I’ve suffered because of these damaging beliefs. “That fear and silence delayed me seeking help, and when I finally did, I didn’t receive the care or support I needed. I was supposed to be referred for further checks, but the midwife brushed it off and told me, ‘It's just a dried-up milk duct from stored-up breast milk.’ Because of that, because I chose to trust a professional, the cancer went undetected and spread. “There is research showing that Black women, are more likely to be diagnosed at later stages than white women and I believe this is one of the reasons why. These harmful myths, combined with systemic inequalities in healthcare, put people like me at risk.” Our campaign - Whoever You Are, Whatever It Takes - is shining a light on what it means to be living with a cancer diagnosis in the UK today and encouraging more people to access accurate information and support. You can watch our full video on Nellie’s story here: https://lnkd.in/e-ZXUNPY
