Headline Oct. 15/ ''' BREAST CANCER BROWNS '''

''' BREAST CANCER BROWNS '''

*THE GREAT & GOOD LORD GOD*, must show mercy for all his creations and eradicate all sufferings: Ameen!

Students Merium, Rabo, Dee, Saima, Haleema, Malala, Asifa Zardari Bhutto, Bakhtawar Zardari Bhutto, Seher, Eman, Zilli, Zara, Aqsa, Iqra, Lakshmi, Dantini. Susan, Zainab  and little Angels : 

Mayna, Maria, Harem, Hanyia, and Merium join me in prayer, and seek mercy.  

BEYOND  'CUT, BURN AND POISON'  : The psychological scars post-mastectomy often takes longer to heal. So, true............

EVERY COLLEGE, EVERY HIGHER LEARNING INSTITUTION, in the world, especially in the  Developing World, and moreso, in Proud Pakistan-

EVERY good teacher like, Ms. Sajida Akber Khan, Ms Shahbano Imran, Ms.Shazia Gul, Ms. Humera Saqib, Ms. Qazi Ahmed Akber Khan, Ms. Amina Fahim Khan, Ms. Sanyia Qaiser, Ms Rahat Noreen-

And every great human of the class and pride of Ms. Sajida Sultan Abbasi, Ms. Rabiya Amjad,  Ms. Sabiha Shahhid Shakoor, Ms.Dr. Umair Abdu Nasir, Ms. Masud Reza, Ms. Munawer, Ms. Saleem Khan Kasuriyia- Ms. Imran Bukhari-

Ms. Saqib Kiyani, Ms. Faraz Majeed, Ms. Awais Khattak, Ms. Umer Khan, ALL must ensure that the senior girls are well aware and thoroughly knowledgeable on this deadly disease.

Psychological Aspects:

Through out history, the female breast has served an iconic responsibility: a virtual representation of the feminine form, sexuality and fertility.

ACCORDING TO DR. Samaiya Mushtaq, a psychiatry resident based in Dallas Texas - ''Society often values a women based - On appearance alone, which is proxy of her ability to arouse a man.'' 

''The loss of a visible sexual symbol could directly result in significant detrimental effects on her  self-esteem.''

Dr. Safieh Shah -a scientific researcher with an interest in gender dynamics -agrees, adding that that the loss of breasts affect women in more ways than can be accounted for medical science.''

In modern capitalistic states, the female form has been objectified to the extent that ''breasts are regarded as 'objects'  of their own accord, leading to a disconnect between the human individual that they are a part of and belong to.''

''Patriarchy dictates the female form,'' says Shah. ''Since this has led to men controlling [via their stated sexual preferences]  the demands of women, this has only led to further covert control of a female body's appearance.''

Shah adds that a women's concept of her own sexuality and  'normality' is dictated by what her  'ideal' image out to be. 

Additionally, in societies that place value on  breastfeeding over formula feeding, the inability to do so can affect a woman's conceptualization of herself as an adequate mother.

''Throughout history, breasts have been essential  -not only in the visual depictions of the female form, as they are integral to portraying femininity -but also as an indirect indicator of fertility.

They have primarily been representative of sustaining life, providing for a baby when it is absolutely helpless.

This has been the basis of certain roles taken on by women in society that have been the basis of  human and [mammalian] life as we know it.''

Aneela Abbas, a psycho-oncologist at Indus Hospital, explains how the loss of breasts provokes feelings of loss, anger, anxiety, and an altered sense of identity -particularly in younger women.

''They consider mastectomy an attack on their innate feminine nature. They feel mutilated and self-conscious. They have hard time coming to terms with their new bodies.''

In Abbas's professional experience, middle-aged  and elderly women are less anxious about losing their breast[s], compared to younger and unmarried women. For them, survival is foremost.  

''By the time women approach their mid-50s, breasts, sex, and one's public image figure relatively less into their daily existence,'' she says. 

''It is generally believed that married women fare better in coping with relationships after losing a breast, compared to single women.''

Sixty-year old  Shahida tells of her struggle with the disease: 

''The most harrowing part was losing my hair to chemotheraphy.'' she says. ''The loss of my breast did not affect me as much as the loss of my hair. When I looked in the mirror. I no longer saw myself. I saw a cancer victim.''

Many women learn the meaning of emotional vulnerability after losing a breast. 55 year old Salma  describes some of her fears before and after going into surgery:

''The first thing you think about is whether or not you're going to survive,'' she says nervously. ''I wanted to fight this illness for my children. I wanted to be healthy again, so I could witness their happy moments.

She recalled that for many months after her surgery, she would feel shy and self-conscious in public. 

What bothered her the most was her husband and inlaw's outlook on her mastectomy; they considered the illness and its consequences a misfortune or ''curse'' wished upon her by someone.

Additionally, the sole focus on a woman's ability to survive, rather than how she 'feels' after her  mastectomy, speaks to the fact that women are expected to flip a switch and return to their normal life once the surgery is over and chemotherapy done.

There seems to be a certain amount of guilt and terrible spiritual pain, when a breast cancer survivor says she misses her breasts..

With most loving and caring and respectful dedication to all the women victims of breast cancer and then Students, Professors and Teachers of the world. 

See Ya all on !WOW!  -the World Students Society and Twitter-!E-WOW!  -the Ecosystem 2011:

''' Growing Chorus Urging '''

Good Night and God Bless

SAM Daily Times - the Voice of the Voiceless