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.
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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.
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