COMMA x DKMS
Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women in Germany and is curable in many cases if the cancer is detected early and checked regularly.
For Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October, comma is sending out a strong signal under the motto ‘PREVENTION MEANS SELF-CARE’. With an exclusive charity collection in collaboration with DKMS, we are drawing attention to the importance of breast cancer prevention and sending a message of solidarity with those affected.
The stylish collection, which is suitable for everyday wear, combines fashionable design with an important cause: With the sale of the charity collection, comma supports DKMS and its programmes for cancer patients and breast cancer prevention.
OUR PARTNER: DKMS
As a non-profit organisation, DKMS provides stem cell donors worldwide to help people with blood cancer. It is also involved in cancer research and awareness-raising. Its subsidiary organisation DKMS Life offers free ‘look good feel better’ cosmetics seminars in which cancer patients are given practical tips on how to deal with the visible effects of the disease, thereby boosting their self-esteem and self-confidence.
CAROLIN KOTKE
in an interview
‘For me, female empowerment is about cohesion and strengthening each other, but also using your voice and raising awareness about women's health and prevention. It's important to me to show how much we actually have in our own hands.’
The author, a health and nutrition coach, has been a breast cancer activist since she herself was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2017.
In an exclusive interview, we spoke to her about empowerment, nutrition and cancer prevention.
NUTRITION
Carolin Kotke's ‘eat well, feel better’ journey began in 2018 after she was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2017. During her cancer treatment, she realised how much a healthy and balanced diet helped her to cope with the treatment and get fit again. This experience motivated her to share her knowledge with others. After successfully completing her treatment at the end of 2018, she began training as a nutritionist and specialised in acid-base balance, nutrient optimisation and nutrition in cancer. She shares her knowledge via social media and organises seminars, live events and retreats to get people excited about nutrition. Her aim is to show cancer patients in particular that nutrition, although not a panacea, can provide more energy and well-being and can therefore be a valuable support in difficult times.
PRECAUTION
The two terms prevention and precaution are often used synonymously, but stand for different things.
Prevention means self-care: the risk of developing breast cancer can be minimised. Important measures include a healthy lifestyle, regular physical activity, a balanced diet, weight control and avoiding excessive alcohol consumption. Women going through the menopause should carefully consider whether it makes sense to take oestrogens, as these carry a certain risk of cancer.
Screening refers to regular examinations that serve to detect breast cancer as early as possible - ideally before symptoms develop. This is because if breast cancer is diagnosed early enough, the chances of recovery can be significantly increased and treatment can be less stressful. Nevertheless, only around 50% of women invited to take part in the recommended mammography screenings from the age of 50. And many young women are not even aware of the breast cancer screening options that are already available to them.
We have summarised the most important ones for you here:
Monthly: The self-examination
Regular palpation of the breast can help to recognise changes at an early stage. It is best to do this once a month and - very importantly - have any abnormalities checked by a doctor immediately. The rule here is: it is better to play it safe once more than once more! You can find detailed instructions on correct self-examination on the website of the German Cancer Society, for example. If you are unsure about how the palpation should be performed, you can also ask your gynaecologist to show you.
Annual: Medical palpation examination
For women aged 30 and over, palpation is covered by statutory health insurance once a year. As a self-pay service, a combined palpation and ultrasound examination can also be carried out so that a six-monthly frequency is achieved.
Annual: Ultrasound
Another form of breast cancer screening is the ultrasound examination. Experienced gynaecologists can detect changes that cannot (yet) be felt. This is particularly useful for dense breast tissue, where a mammogram may not be as informative. However, in most cases this is a private service, so the costs must be borne by the patient. Ultrasound examinations are only recommended from the age of 25 for women with an increased risk - for example because they have a genetic predisposition - and the costs are also covered depending on the health insurance provider.
Every two years: Mammography
Women between the ages of 50 and 69 are recommended to have a mammogram every two years. The X-ray examination can detect tumours before they can be felt and is considered the most effective method for the early detection of breast cancer.
ROMY NASSAR
in an interview
„The more there's awareness, the less fearful you get out of it because we're always afraid of what we don't know. Prevention is self-care.“
Romy Nassar is a model and artist known for her versatile and bold style. She currently lives in Montreal and has also set up her own vintage fashion shop after studying law and working in the financial sector. Romy's fashion choices reflect her creative approach and make powerful statements.
Romy has people in her circle of friends who have lived through the illness. Seeing them go through this emotionally, mentally and physically difficult time has touched Romy deeply. That's why October is a very emotional month for her and at the same time she considers it particularly important because cancer affects so many people. Creating community support for those affected, drawing attention to the topics of prevention and screening and promoting them is a personal concern for her.
DORIEN CAMPS
IN AN Interview
Dorien Camps is the founder of bossy Magazine and bossy TV, mother of 3, wife and warm-hearted networker. A cancer diagnosis in 2023 put a (temporary) hold on her many entrepreneurial plans. But she remains an incredible inspiration to the many entrepreneurs in her network.
What does female empowerment mean to you?
Mutual support in everything we do. And we often can do that a bit more. Whether that's waiting at the finish line with flowers or helping where we can in our everyday life. We could be much prouder of what we all achieve.
What do you think is your ‘superpower’?
I just asked my kids: ‘Mum is cute, and mum is pretty’! Flattering, isn't it? In this case, I like to believe that children always speak the truth. If I were to ask my family and friends, I think resilience is a trait that always comes out. I often hear that I am a strong woman.
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. What does this month mean to you? Do you think it's important to encourage women around you to get checked if something doesn't feel right?
I think it's good that the topic is being discussed more and more. The more, the better! Many women who have been down this path before me write a lot about it. And I'm very happy about that! I am trying to raise awareness of this issue through podcasts and interviews, but I'm not yet at the point where I can report on it every day on social media.
How did you find your strength and what motivated you to keep going?
I can't stand losing, neither in a tennis match nor in the fight against cancer. I always want to win, even now. For myself, my family, my family, my friends ...
Family and friends often feel useless when their loved ones are ill. How can your loved ones support you in a way that can also help them emotionally?
The best thing you can do for someone who needs (your) help is to say specifically what you want and can do. After all, when you are ill, you don't have the time and energy to think about who you can ask for what task, what someone is good at and whether that person has time for it at all. So don’t say: just call me, but concretely suggest that you will do the laundry or put dinner at the front door on Tuesday at 17:00.
I can imagine that clothes can play an important role when you don't feel well, especially to feel comfortable. What role do clothes play for you at the moment? Has that changed?
It definitely has! When your hair falls out and your eyelashes and eyebrows are gone, you look really sick. And yet sometimes there are days when - considering the circumstances - you feel pretty good. On those days, you just need a nice outfit, a nice hat or scarf and some make-up. For example, I still remember the launch of our eleventh Bossy magazine. I had chosen a bright red suit especially for that evening in the comma store in Ghent. I felt so good that evening, and the suit undoubtedly contributed to that!
What are you doing for yourself, your body and your mindset? I often see in your Instagram stories that you are outside a lot, have a fitness trainer and of course spend a lot of time with your kids and husband. Does that help you?
I try to switch off from the hectic pace that dominates my life. I do this by spending a lot of time in nature and with my family, doing things that energize me instead of stress me, eating healthy and exercising. Lots of things that I didn't always make time for in the past.
Is there anything else you would like to pass on to other women?
There are two things that I have been campaigning for since my diagnosis. Firstly, I would like to encourage women to examine themselves and have themselves examined. Don't put off an examination. Secondly, for the self-employed in this room: talk to your insurance company about a guaranteed income. I'm very grateful to my insurer for suggesting this to me years ago. The last thing you should be worrying about in a situation like this is your own financial situation.
What is your personal conclusion from this intense time?
Enjoy and think carefully about how you want to spend your day, every day.