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According to the Cancer Association of South Africa, South African women have a one in nine chance of being diagnosed with cancer.
Having cancer is terrifying for anybody. For women receiving treatment, this oftentimes means experiencing tremendous anxiety about how the treatment will affect their appearance.
The Look Good... Feel Better (LGFB) programme helps women restore a positive body image, therefore improving their self-esteem, which is an important part of recovery from cancer.
Read more: 'The day I found out I had stage 3 breast cancer'
This global initiative was first established in the US 27 years ago and the Cosmetic Toiletry and Fragrance Association launched it in SA in 2004. It currently runs in 23 other countries. The programme offers free, two-hour interactive workshops in 32 venues in SA to women who are undergoing chemotherapy, radiation, or any other forms of treatment.
In the workshops, LGFB volunteers discuss several side-effects of cancer treatment such as hair loss, skin and nail problems and in some cases facial hair growth, among others.
For many women, having healthy skin and being able to apply makeup is an important part of their identity, and the workshops help to maintain a positive outlook to ensure progressive healing.
LGFB recognises that the changes to appearance when undergoing treatment are deeply challenging and therefore uses skincare and makeup products as a source of self-worth, leading to a positive investment in participants' self-body image.
Every participant attending a workshop receives a goody bag filled with skincare and cosmetic products suited for their skin. The products are generously sponsored by the cosmetics industry.
When I contacted Margaret Hewson, programme director of the LGFB SA programme, she was at the airport awaiting 400 eyebrow pencils imported from Sweden for the programme. The products given to the participants are product neutral and non-medical, says Hewson.
“It is important that the products given are suitable for cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy as their skin is as delicate as a newborn baby's. The products therefore contain no alcohol, AHAs (alpha hydroxy acids), etc.,” she adds.
Read more: Styling hair 6 months after chemotherapy
The programme also runs separate workshops for men. “In the men's workshops we use men's products, also for delicate skins. We discuss things like taking care of your skin when shaving, sun care protection, the massaging of your face, shoulders and hands, as well as scalp care and protection,” explains Hewson.
In 2012 the programme introduced a new hair component with L'Oreal South Africa and Gary Rom. The addition educates patients on the effects of treatment on a person’s hair as well as the rehabilitation thereof once they are in remission.
Hewson explains that more than 36 000 women have attended the programme in one of the seven cities in SA since its implementation.
Comments on the programme’s Facebook page is testament to the difference they make in the participants’ lives.
"Thank you for all that you do. I'll never forget my session (6yrs ago now) (sic) and how beautiful I felt afterwards despite having almost no hair and no eyebrows or lashes. And these sessions do more for the soul than what you see in the mirror..." said Katherine Brüggemann.
