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| #challengeaccepted: Cancer survivor attacks Facebook 'fakes' | #challengeaccepted: Cancer survivor attacks Facebook 'fakes' |
| (about 5 hours later) | |
| A cancer survivor has criticised a new trend for cancer awareness photos on Facebook as "distasteful" and "fake". | A cancer survivor has criticised a new trend for cancer awareness photos on Facebook as "distasteful" and "fake". |
| Rebecca Wilkinson, who has undergone a double mastectomy, dismissed the craze for posting black and white "selfies" with the phrase "#challengeaccepted". | Rebecca Wilkinson, who has undergone a double mastectomy, dismissed the craze for posting black and white "selfies" with the phrase "#challengeaccepted". |
| In response, the 36-year-old from Lancaster uploaded a topless photo of herself to show cancer's effect on her, The Huffington Post reported. | In response, the 36-year-old from Lancaster uploaded a topless photo of herself to show cancer's effect on her, The Huffington Post reported. |
| The mother-of-two was diagnosed with Stage 2b breast cancer in 2013. | The mother-of-two was diagnosed with Stage 2b breast cancer in 2013. |
| Ms Wilkinson, who has had reconstructive breast surgery, also had to have her ovaries removed after tests revealed there was an 80% chance of her breast cancer returning. | Ms Wilkinson, who has had reconstructive breast surgery, also had to have her ovaries removed after tests revealed there was an 80% chance of her breast cancer returning. |
| She told the BBC: "This latest craze just makes me mad. | She told the BBC: "This latest craze just makes me mad. |
| "Having cancer is scary, knowing you could die and be taken from your children. | "Having cancer is scary, knowing you could die and be taken from your children. |
| "It is not the subject for some fake selfies as if it's some fun activity. | "It is not the subject for some fake selfies as if it's some fun activity. |
| "People think just because they stick a black and white photo on Facebook they are supporting people with cancer. | "People think just because they stick a black and white photo on Facebook they are supporting people with cancer. |
| "But I've spoken to a lot of people in the cancer community, and it's upset most people as well. | "But I've spoken to a lot of people in the cancer community, and it's upset most people as well. |
| "They are not supporting people with cancer - they should really visit people in hospital with cancer or hold their hand while they're going through the trauma of chemo. | "They are not supporting people with cancer - they should really visit people in hospital with cancer or hold their hand while they're going through the trauma of chemo. |
| "It's just so fake and these people are just Facebook narcissists." | "It's just so fake and these people are just Facebook narcissists." |
| Her own internet post read: "Everyone on Facebook is aware of cancer, so you cannot play the awareness card. Particularly as this time it's not even a *type* of cancer. You're not raising money. You're not showing support either." | Her own internet post read: "Everyone on Facebook is aware of cancer, so you cannot play the awareness card. Particularly as this time it's not even a *type* of cancer. You're not raising money. You're not showing support either." |
| Inherited breast cancer | Inherited breast cancer |
| Ms Wilkinson, who also has bipolar disorder, tested positive for the BRAC1 cancer gene after her own mother Sheila died aged 43 from breast cancer. | Ms Wilkinson, who also has bipolar disorder, tested positive for the BRAC1 cancer gene after her own mother Sheila died aged 43 from breast cancer. |
| Hollywood film actress Angelina Jolie had a double mastectomy after being diagnosed with the same gene. | Hollywood film actress Angelina Jolie had a double mastectomy after being diagnosed with the same gene. |
| There is a 50% chance that Ms Wilkinson's two children Connie, eight, and six-year-old Freddie might have the gene, but they will have to wait until they are 18 to be tested. | There is a 50% chance that Ms Wilkinson's two children Connie, eight, and six-year-old Freddie might have the gene, but they will have to wait until they are 18 to be tested. |
| She added: "Having cancer is scary, knowing you could die and be taken from your children. | She added: "Having cancer is scary, knowing you could die and be taken from your children. |
| "It is not the subject for some fake selfies as if it's some fun activity." | "It is not the subject for some fake selfies as if it's some fun activity." |
| The #challengeaccepted trend was very popular in India early in the summer and arrived in the UK last week. | |
| Not all cancer sufferers share Rebecca's view of the trend. | Not all cancer sufferers share Rebecca's view of the trend. |
| Grandmother Jean Haines, 72, of Heald Green, Greater Manchester, who has had breast cancer twice, said: "I think any support for cancer sufferers is welcome. | Grandmother Jean Haines, 72, of Heald Green, Greater Manchester, who has had breast cancer twice, said: "I think any support for cancer sufferers is welcome. |
| "It can be such a frightening time... it's nice people are thinking of those suffering from this terrible disease." | "It can be such a frightening time... it's nice people are thinking of those suffering from this terrible disease." |
| Cancer charities approached by the BBC declined to comment. | Cancer charities approached by the BBC declined to comment. |