Biography
Biography: Shirley Bianca
Abstract
“Yes, It Can!” Art can give a human touch in the healing process. The healing power of the Arts can strengthen the relationship between the doctor and the patient. Can medical students become better doctors by attending art courses? “Yes, I believe so”! Observation is Knowledge. Observation is essential to expertise in medicine. If medical students scrutinize paintings of the 18th Century in the museum this might improve their diagnostic skills at observation and empathy. They might then also look at their patients more in depth and not only relying on tests. So, Art should be a part of the education programs at medical schools, like in the US, which means training the Doctor´s Eye thru Art, because “opening Eyes opens Minds”. As a two-time Breast Cancer survivor I would like to stress that Breast Surgery is HIGH ART! Unfortunately, many doctors who perform surgery, are not Breast Surgery Specialists They may do just a handful cases a year. AND THAT IS THE POINT! Why do we see so many mutilations and unnecessary mastectomies? Because there is a lack of an official acknowledged accredited GLOBAL License in specialized Breast Cancer Surgery, accepted in all countries. We need a GLOBAL License with Oncological and Reconstructive Breast Surgery integrated as a part of Breast Surgical Training worldwide, a concept to be established by the WHO! It hurts to observe this lack, so I would like to announce an urgent Call-to-Action to work out a worldwide initiative for Breast Surgical Licensing. As I mentioned to you I am a two-time Breast Cancer Survivor. In the year 2000 I was diagnosed with a collision tumour, triple-negative. My breast was partial removed and reconstructed with autologous tissue followed by chemotherapy and radiation. Exactly 5 years later I had a recurrence. I was lucky to be treated by an excellent Oncoplastic Breast Surgeon and I realized after my surgery how many patients, knowing they need surgery, are afraid of looking disfigured after their operation. So what do we need? We need a global register with specialists available online to breast cancer patients! There are too many Breast Centres WITHOUT Specialized Breast Surgeons! After my surgery I began to paint, I had never painted before. Sòòò much had happened inside my body and soul… I became a productive painter and created, just by chance, a survivorship story filled with expressions of my feelings and emotions. Friends told me “Shirley, you have to do something with it”. So, I contacted international cancer organisations and offered them my slideshow. What I did not expect, was, that I soon received invitations to present and exhibit my paintings and to give speeches about “Getting Back into Life”. I am very proud to say that my painted survivorship story “Message of Hope” has been disseminated worldwide since 2010. Recently I was very honoured to exhibit my 22 paintings in the European Parliament on the occasion of “Cancer Survivors Day” Celebration in Brussels. I feel privileged that I have reached many cancer patients around the world. That I could encourage and give them hope, cheer them up with my colours, take their fear away for a couple of minutes, motivate and inspire them to unlock their creative potential during and after treatment, which might have helped healing both soul and body. Now I am aware: Art is Life and Life is An Art