Breast cancer sufferer hits out at “no make-up selfie” trend: ‘Pluck out your lashes, lop off part of your anatomy- then you might get it’

A breast cancer sufferer has spoken out about the recent selfie campaign, which encouraged women to post a picture of themselves wearing no make up onto social media sites.

CMYEN8

by Ellie Hooper |
Published on

Tessa McIlwaine, 31, is currently receiving chemotherapy following a recent mastectomy.

Although Tessa says she appreciates the sentiment of the campaign, which has so far raised £8 million for Cancer Research, she agrees with many who think that some people have missed the point.

'If people just took the time to check their own bodies instead of photographing themselves in flattering lights and posting pictures online, they might end up luckier than I was.'

'Shave your heard, pluck out your eyelashes, lop off a favoured part of your anatomy, then you might get it. No makeup? Piece of p*ss.'

Organisers of the #nomakeupselfie movement urged women to share their selfies but to also make a donation, after fears were raised that the point was being missed.

But Tessa agrees that the money raised by the social media campaign can't be argued with, despite some participants accidentally donating to UNICEF and WWF.

In a post on her Facebook page, Tessa wrote:

'Cancer Awareness: I think we already know it exists and that it can kill you. If every woman who took the time taking & uploading a selfie used that time to check their breasts it would be much more worthwhile. I doubt even 10% of them have become more "aware" of what impact cancer could have on their lives & how easily they can help themselves.

Shave your heard, pluck out your eyelashes, lop off a favoured part of your anatomy, then you might get it. No makeup? Piece of p*ss.'

READ: Why people are missing the point of the no make up selfie.

See your GP if you expeirence any of these symptoms:

A lump or area of thickened tissue in either breast

Change in size or shape of either breast

Discharge from either of your nipples

A lump or swelling in either of your armpits

A rash on or around your nipple

Dimpling on the skin of your breasts

A change in the appearance of your nipple - such as becoming sunk into your breast

Pain in either of your breasts or armpits not related to your period

Visit BreastCancerCare for more information on breast awareness.

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