Cancer survivor uses face as symbol of strength after it was changed by illness

A young cancer survivor is empowering others with a photoshoot to give an honest and unfiltered look at the disease.

Tasha Jilka, 27, is taking part in Defiance, photo project for the a Stand Up To Cancer campaign.

She and the 15 others involved have battled cancer and been left with scars from the disease and changes to their bodies.

But Tasha, who was diagnosed with neuroblastoma in 2010, told Leicestershire Live she sees her face as "a symbol of strength".

"I’ve had to build a thick skin over the past nine years and now I use my face as a symbol of strength, something that shows everything I’ve been through," the administrator said.

"My cancer has completely changed my face, so it’s not something I can hide away from."

Neuroblastoma, which forms in nerve tissue, typically affects the face and nose.

Tasha, from Hamilton, Leicester, wants to highlight the raw reality of this.

She added: "I’m standing up to cancer by embracing my new normal every day, which is why I was so pleased to be a part of the Defiance series.

"I was diagnosed with cancer just before my 18th birthday and this massively impacted my confidence."


Neuroblastoma

Neuroblastoma is a rare type of cancer that mostly affects babies and young children, the NHS says

It develops from specialised nerve cells (neuroblasts) left behind from a baby's development in the womb.

Neuroblastoma most commonly occurs in one of the adrenal glands situated above the kidneys, or in the nerve tissue that runs alongside the spinal cord in the neck, chest, tummy or pelvis.

It can spread to other organs such as the bone marrow, bone, lymph nodes, liver and skin.

It affects around 100 children each year in the UK and is most common in children under the age of 5.

The cause is unknown. There are very rare cases where children in the same family are affected, but generally neuroblastoma doesn't run in families.

The pictures, shot by photographer Ami Barwell, have been released as part of Stand Up To Cancer, a joint fundraising campaign from Cancer Research UK and Channel 4.

Money raised through the campaign will speed up advances in life-saving cancer research.

Doctors, nurses, scientists and celebrities join the campaign each year for the cause.

And for those who want to take on cancer in style, there’s also a range of Stand Up To Cancer clothing and accessories available online.



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