Having a breast removed destroyed Ya ya's (alias) relationship, but her plight, which she posted online, has helped raise breast cancer prevention awareness on the Internet, the Youth Weekend reported on November 9.

 

Ya Ya, a 21-year-old woman from Hubei working in south China's booming city of Shenzhen was diagnosed with a tumor in her right breast, causing it to be removed and her boyfriend to dump her.

 

Her Internet posts regarding her plight garnered 30,000 hits and ample sympathy from netizens. They also inspired a number of female readers to go and get a breast exam.

 

Urban women in China have been more aware of breast-care since the introduction of China's Pink Ribbon Breast Prevention Movement, which falls on the third Friday of every October.

 

The movement is a breast cancer awareness campaign that advises women on early disease detection and prevention.

 

According to media reports, breast cancer is the number one killer of women in China. Every year, 170,000 women are diagnosed with the killer disease with 40,000 casualties.

 

According to medical information, certain risk factors are linked to the disease, such as age, family history, personal history of breast cancer and earlier breast radiation.

 

Ya said she is a volunteer for the Pink Ribbon movement. "I have looked up lots of information about my disease," she said. "I am willing to help raise breast cancer awareness."

 

"Many female netizens have the same disease. I hope that women will value their health and live a healthy lifestyle."

 

"I was deeply moved after I posted my story on the Internet. I was thinking of suicide before, but the warmth and courage netizens have shown me and their courageous stories have changed my mind," Ya said. "Their sincerity helps me to go on living."

 

(China Daily November 17, 2006)