The girl in the mirror, the song of the fight against breast cancer

The girl in the mirror It is a hymn to life. A song that brings together feelings, that makes the skin crawl and sensitizes the heart. A melody that narrates and validates the emotions and thoughts that manifest in the storm that affects so many people. A storm that has a name that makes the heart shrink: breast cancer.

The Spanish pop group La Oreja de Van Gogh has composed this song, called The girl in the mirroras the emblem song of “Porlas”, Cadena 100’s charity concert against breast cancer. In addition, the profits obtained from the sale of this song go towards the fight against cancer.

These types of initiatives are necessary because, in addition to accompanying research and healthcare work, music accompanies people who are going through the disease. Of course The song is really special, because it is full of strength and courage, the vital cocktail that people with breast cancer need most.

As studies such as that of Levy and Heiden (1990) have shown, Social support seems to be involved in the course or development of the disease. People who perceive greater social support tend to have better progress.

This is explained, in part, because encourages treatment adherence and other health-related behaviorsin addition to appropriate psychological coping strategies.

Likewise, studies such as the one mentioned indicate that Those women who reported a lack of social support in their environment showed low activity of the so-called Natural Killer cells., which are responsible for protecting the immune system. Lack of social support means decreased communication between the couple or inadequate family support.

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That is to say, studies in this field show that those strategies that allow maintaining or increasing good levels of self-esteem and the reduction of adverse emotional states help reduce the physiological consequences of stress. Thus, since Social support promotes physical and psychological balancewe can easily understand the reason why initiatives such as Van Gogh’s Ear with the song The girl in the mirrorare truly essential to supporting people with breast cancer.

The pink ribbon, unity against breast cancer

As we know, Society is increasingly aware of the importance of supporting the fight against breast cancer. This is not only shown to us by songs like The girl in the mirrorbut is also visible thanks to the widespread use of the pink ribbon symbol.

In relation to the pink ribbon, there is a beautiful story of unknown authorship that circulates on the Internet and that deserves to continue being shared as part of the social awareness-raising work. We transfer it to you below:

“A man around 50 years old discreetly entered a cafe and sat down at an unoccupied table. Before placing his order, he noticed a group of younger men sitting at a nearby table. They were laughing.

It was obvious to him that they were laughing and making fun of him. It didn’t take him long to remember that he was wearing a small pink bow placed on the lapel of his jacket and that this was the reason for his laughter. At first he ignored them, but the laughter was beginning to irritate him.

He looked at one of them, pointed to his lasso and asked: Does this make you laugh? The men looked at each other, bewildered. Still trying to contain his laughter, one of them replied: Don’t take this the wrong way, we were just commenting on how cute your pink bow looks with that blue jacket.

With a friendly gesture, the man invited the joker to sit at his table. Uncomfortable as he was, the young man accepted, without knowing why. In a very calm voice, the man explained:

–I wear this pink ribbon to alert everyone about breast cancer. I wear it in honor of my mother.

–Sir, forgive me. Did your mother die of breast cancer?

–No, she is not dead. Happily she is alive and in very good health. But it was her breasts that fed me when I was a baby.

And her breasts were where I rested my head when I was afraid or sad as a little child. I am very grateful for my mother’s breasts for the health she enjoys today.

–Hmm, sure! –answered the young man.

“I’m also wearing this pink ribbon in honor of my wife,” the man continued.

–Is she okay too? –the boy asked.

-Oh yeah. She is perfect. And with her breasts she fed and nourished our beautiful daughter 23 years ago. I am very grateful for my wife’s breasts and her health.

-I understand. So I guess you’re also wearing it in honor of your daughter.

–No, I can no longer wear it in honor of my daughter, it’s too late for that. She passed away from breast cancer a month ago.

She thought she was too young to have breast cancer. So, when a lump happened to be noticed, she ignored it. She thought that since she wasn’t causing him pain, there was nothing to worry about. Now dejected and ashamed, the young man said:

–Oh lord, how sorry I am…

–That is why, in memory of my daughter, I also wear this little pink ribbon, because it allows me to give others an opportunity that I no longer have. So now, go and discuss this with your wife and your daughter, your mother and your sister, as well as your friends.

–And here… –The man put his hand in his pocket and took out another small pink bow and handed it to the young man.

The boy looked at the ribbon that was given to him and raising his head he asked the man: Can you help me put it on?”

Songs like The girl in the mirror or stories like the one about the pink ribbon help us raise awareness and empathize with people with breast cancer. We have seen how social support and emotional validation are aspects that determine the development of the disease, which is why We must make a special appeal so that no affected person feels alone or ignored. It’s of vital importance.