Etsuko: Tamaka-san and Maiko-san's mothers have experienced breast cancer, and Maki-san has experienced breast cancer herself. First of all, could you tell us how you noticed this from Maki?
Maki:I was diagnosed with breast disease during a health checkup at work, and was advised to find a family doctor. I was in my mid-30s.
Maiko: Mammary glands are tissues inside the breast, right?
Tamuka:Although I haven't been to the hospital, I've been told that I have mastopathy even though I'm in my 50s.
EtsukoAt BEAMS, we offer breast cancer screening every year for employees over 30 years old, with a choice of mammography or ultrasound. Last year in 2022, the consultation rate was 88.5%.
Maki: Ten years after I started going to the hospital, a mammogram and ultrasound showed that the white shadows that had been sparse had started to gather. My family doctor referred me to a large hospital, and after a biopsy was performed to examine part of the affected area, I was diagnosed with stage 1 breast cancer.

Etsuko: How did you feel at that time?
Maki: I was shocked and cried. However, going to the hospital led to early detection, and I was able to remove about half of the cancer cells during the biopsy, so I gradually began to feel positive that I would be cured! My father, who hated hospitals, was late in detecting his cancer until it was stage 4 cancer, so my mother, who was present at the time, was also upset at first, but she and the doctors reassured her that it would be okay.
Etsuko:I think it took courage to tell the company.
Maki: At that time, I felt a little weak, but the encouragement from everyone inside and outside the company and the fact that there was someone in my workplace who had experienced breast cancer gave me great support. I set a goal to return a month after surgery and felt positive.
Maiko: Did you have any symptoms in your chest before your diagnosis? My mother had a lump the size of a sesame seed but hard like a stone.
Tamuka:My mother's lump was also hard like a stone or rock. The kanji for ``cancer'' is made up of the words ``wild sauce'' and ``rock,'' and that's exactly right.
Maki:In my case, I had no symptoms.
Etsuko: There are various cases that are discovered.

Etsuko: Could you also tell us how Maiko-san and Tamaka-san found out about their mother's illness?
Maiko:I was a junior high school student, and my mother, who was diagnosed with stage 1 breast cancer, was almost 40 years old. He was the same age as I am now. Since I was an only child, they just told me that I was going to have surgery so that I wouldn't worry.
Tamuka:I learned that my mother had stage 4 breast cancer from a phone call from my aunt, who accompanied her to the hospital. When my mother learned that her ex-Candice had died of breast cancer, she felt uneasy about the strange feeling in her chest and decided to go to the hospital. Until then, I had thought that it had nothing to do with me, who is in my 70s, and that it was a disease that only affects young people.
Etsuko:The incidence of breast cancer increases from the late 30s onwards. Currently, it is said that about one in nine people in Japan suffers from this disease (*2).
Tamuka: Before my mother had surgery, she showed me her breasts to everyone in the family. I said it was beautiful and I'll never forget it, and sent it off. After the surgery, I wanted to see your face even if it was just for 10 minutes, so I went to the hospital every day after work. Since I was the only daughter, I felt a strong desire to support my mother.
Etsuko: In your case, Maki, how did you spend your time in the hospital?
Maki:I wanted to feel as good as possible, so I prepared a bunch of cute leggings and long T-shirts.

Tamuka: Even if you're usually a monochrome person, wearing fun colors and patterns while in the hospital will cheer you up. I also wanted my mother to have a cheerful time, so I hid a bath towel of my mother's favorite idol in the towels she gave me.
Maki: However, leggings were difficult to change and caused trouble for the nurses. I called my mom and she immediately got me some pajamas.
Etsuko：How was Maiko's mother while she was in the hospital?
Maiko：I was young at the time, so I don't remember much, but the subsequent treatment seemed to be difficult due to the ups and downs of my mood, perhaps due to menopause.
Maki:I also had hot flashes, although I don't know if it was menopause or a side effect of the medication. After being discharged from the hospital and completing a month of radiation therapy, I took medication to suppress female hormones for about five years to prevent recurrence, but in the summer I avoided wearing gray clothes that made me sweat. Now, once a year, I undergo a mammogram and ultrasound to check for metastasis.
Tamuka：I think it was difficult not only physically but also emotionally. Maki-san, you did a great job.

Etsuko:I think there are things you can do to support your loved ones through fashion, while also being considerate of their feelings.
Tamuka: My mother, who loved fashion, became worried about the silhouette of her breasts after surgery and ended up looking like she was hunched over. As the styling director of BEAMS, I would like to recommend a collar that brightens up the chest for such people, and hats such as beanies or balaclava that are comfortable to the touch for those who are concerned about their hair.
Etsuko: AK+1, which is directed by model Aki, makes knit caps every year, and we've even heard from people undergoing cancer treatment that they love using them.
Tamuka: Scarves are also easy. You can also look cute by wrapping a scarf over the wig and securing it with pins. Rather than hiding it, the idea is to enjoy it as part of your outfit.

Maiko: You can wear it loosely and tie it at the back, like Tamaka-san is doing now, or you can also arrange it by letting both ends hang to the sides, like this... for example.
Etsuko: As expected of a visual merchandiser.
Tamuka・Maki:cute!
Etsuko: Maiko-san undergoes breast cancer screening at a certain hospital every year.
Maiko:I wanted to do everything I could to detect it as early as possible if I contracted it, and at the request of my mother, I have been seeing a doctor once a year since I turned 30. At that time, we will also make reservations for next year. I wanted to report that I had a medical examination this year, so as soon as I received the medical certificate, I took a picture and sent it to my mother. The hospital is very clean and I'm looking forward to seeing the delicious candy that can only be found there.
Maki・Tamuka・Etsuko:candy? (lol)
Tamuka: Motivation is important, isn't it? My mother was also encouraged by a teacher with whom she had a good relationship, which gave her the will to live.

Maiko:Actually, the reason I go to my family doctor is because I'm afraid to check it myself. But lately, I've been using BEAMS bath salts in October, when the Pink Ribbon campaign is on, and I've been plucking up the courage to do a self-check.
Etsuko: This year, the popular novelty with a self-check guide written on the package will be handing out breast cream at BEAMS stores from October 13th (Friday) (*3). I would be happy if this gave customers an opportunity to think about breast cancer.
Maki: It is a disease that has a high chance of being cured if detected early, so I would recommend not only self-checks but also breast cancer screenings.
Tamuka: I was too scared to undergo a mammogram, but I'm definitely going to try it next time.