Choir helps women get through breast cancer treatment

ABC NEWS (Australia)

Early detection of breast cancer is becoming more important as diagnosis rates continue to rise across Australia. Now, a group of women in south-east Queensland is using music therapy to help them get through treatment and raise awareness for the disease.

Transcript

00:00 For Twilla Whittingham, music is medicine.

00:07 "Music is so healing, from babies right up to animals.

00:14 I sing to my dogs."

00:15 So when doctors found a precancerous tumour in her breast,

00:19 she knew she'd need more than medical treatment to get through.

00:23 "When the margins were clear in my meditation,

00:26 it was start a boom choir. So, here we are."

00:31 She formed the Soul Sisters, a Harvey Bay Choir

00:34 filled with women who've been impacted by breast cancer.

00:38 "And I want people anywhere to just get together and sing

00:43 because it's so good for your soul."

00:46 The women come together once a week to rehearse

00:49 "Gee-up, jingle bells, jingle your feet."

00:53 and dive into a form of music therapy.

00:56 "It's very healing, very, very healing.

00:59 It just opens up my whole heart."

01:01 But the music is a gateway to something greater.

01:05 "Whether you can sing or not, the importance is just getting

01:08 with a group of women that actually can be with you and support you."

01:14 Breast cancer diagnosis rates have increased by 21%

01:18 over the past 10 years.

01:20 Experts say groups like the Soul Sisters do wonders

01:23 at raising awareness for the disease,

01:25 increasing the chances of early detection.

01:28 "We know that the earlier a cancer is discovered,

01:31 the greater the number of treatment options that are available."

01:35 "I want to share with people that, you know,

01:38 there is life after breast cancer as well."

01:40 "The music absolutely helps you to live fearlessly.

01:45 I can recommend it to everyone.

01:47 Sing a line of music and you'll feel better."

01:50 Medicine that can't be prescribed.

01:52 subscribe.

01:52 [BLANK_AUDIO]

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