"Overcoming Breast Cancer changed my life in a number of unexpected ways. I now see the positives in any scenario that I am faced with and as a result I feel my health incrementally improving each day. #CHECKYOURSELFIE goes beyond the literal sense of checking yourself for breast cancer, it equally applies to looking at yourself and checking to make sure that you are emotionally aware of what is going on with you and how your thoughts are impacting your health." - JANE HUTCHINSON (Founder of Hello Beautiful Cancer Foundation)

What is your spirit animal? 

A phoenix, as it is born again, which is how I feel after going through the whole cancer experience. It is a gentle creature that represents the union of yin and yang and shows us our capacity for vision.

When was your diagnosis and how old were you?

My Diagnosis was on the 12^th of June 2012. I was 35 years old.

How did you find out you had breast cancer?

I felt a lump whilst in the shower as I brushed my hand past my breast. I went to the doctor the very same day. They sent me to the hospital for a mammogram and biopsy. I got the results a week later.

Who was the first person you confided in about your illness? 

I was fortunate enough to have number of people who came to my side when I first found out about my cancer. But the first person I confided in was my best friend and Co-founder of the Hello Love Art & Design Studio. Kevin was my Wingman, and was by my side through each step of the journey.

Tell us something about yourself that people probably don’t know. 

From the age of 4-12 I grew up abroad in Oslo, California and Perth and learned a a lot about different cultures and alternative ways of living.

After your treatment, what do you now make time for in your day?

Upon completion of my treatment, I set up the Hello Beautiful Cancer Foundation, a social network that aims to explore the benefits of living a healthy non-toxic lifestyle and the role that positivity and emotional awareness have in this reality.

If you could be a superhero, what would your super powers be?

To heal the people of this world from the internal emotional struggles that form the basis of so many outward struggles we face as a society. Inner peace and emotional freedom are key ingredients to forward progress.

What advice would you give to someone recently diagnosed? 

Positivity is one of the most powerful tools you have in recovering to your most healthy state of being. You must voice your positivity not only to yourself but also aloud to those around you. This will comfort everyone involved and help set the tone for the most optimal recovery environment. Learning to meditate/having quiet peaceful thoughts, and just allowing myself to have fun were also extremely important for my recovery.

If someone wrote a biography about you what would the title be?

Hello Beautiful

What advice would you give your 16 year old self?

My advice to 16 year old Jane would be to remember that no dream is impossible to reach. Growing up you always think you have all the time in the world to become what you want to become but cancer teaches you life is short and you should go for all your dreams and live life to the fullest.

What was the toughest challenge you faced? 

Facing the side effects of chemotherapy was really tough for me, but I began eating healthy superfoods and employing a number of health food tricks to combat the toxins I subjecting my body to.

When do you laugh the most?

When I’m surrounded by good friends.

If you could go back in time to any event, what would it be? 

If I could go back in time to be present at any historical event, I would chose to attend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s I Have A Dream speech. This speech is so powerfully inspiring that it can even be applied to my own struggle with cancer. Hearing this speech again whilst I was going through treatment reminded me that I was going to get through this ordeal with dignity and discipline. And that educating people about cancer is something that has to be a collaborative effort. It was this understanding that has guided me to curate collaborations with such amazing brands like Keep A Breast and Maggies.

If you could travel anywhere where would it be and why? 

If I could travel anywhere, I would travel to the “The Fifth Dimension,” a heavenly place that can only be accessed through awakening one’s spirit through meditation. I would hope my travels would help me learn more about humanity and our collective purpose on earth.

 

Post a #CHECKYOURSELFIE and schedule monthly self-check to protect your boobies!