Belly Dancer Breast Cancer Survey

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Belly Dancer Breast Cancer Survey
by Kathreen and Diana DeMille

My daughter Kathreen and I sat in the Canturbury Hotel in San Francisco and discussed the healing aspects of belly dancing. I have had two mastectomies. I express my feelings through my art. Kathreen and I had just walked through the "Art.Rage.Us" Breast Cancer Art Exhibit. Finally we could really talk about our feelings. We wondered if any belly dancers have had breast cancer, and if so - how do they cope? Are belly dancers immune to breast cancer?

There are male belly dancers as well as female belly dancers. Both males and females do get breast cancer.

Your survey goes directly to my private email. No one sees your responses but me. If you would like me to keep you posted about the survey results, please include your email. You may also e-mail me.

1. Are you a Belly Dancer?

Are you a Belly Dancer?	Yes	No
Have you had breast cancer?	Yes	No
Did you belly dance before cancer?	Yes	No
Did you belly dance after cancer?	Yes	No
Do you feel Belly Dancing restored your femininity after breast cancer?	Yes	No

2. Do you:

Wear a prosthesis?	Yes	No
Feel asexual?	Yes	No
Feel sensuous?	Yes	No

3. Are belly dancers immune to breast cancer?

4.

Did you have a mastectomy?	Yes	No
Do people react to you differently now?	Yes	No
Do you feel like a different woman after having breast cancer?	Yes	No
Do you wear a prosthesis while belly dancing?	Yes	No
Do you feel belly dancing mimics nature?	Yes	No
Does belly dancing tell a story?	Yes	No
Do you have a dance to tell a story of your cancer/surgery?	Yes	No
Do you have a dance to express your feelings about your surgery?	Yes	No

5. Do you feel Belly Dancing is healing?

Yes No

6. If the answer to the above question is YES, then how is Belly Dancing healing?

7. Please answer the next few questions to let me have a feel for who is answering the survey.

A. Are you female male ?

B. What is your age?

13-19 20-29 30-39 40-49 50+

C. What is your occupation?

D. Where do you live?

8. (You can select multiple responses.)

Do you perform in public?	Yes	No
Are you an ethnic belly dancer?	Yes	No
Are you a cabaret belly dancer?	Yes	No
Are breasts important in belly dancing?	Yes	No

9. Do you believe that everyone has cancer cells within? Yes No

10. Do you believe that stress causes cancer? Yes No

11. Has your life changed since having cancer? Yes No

12. If Yes, how has your life changed?

Career	Improved	Worsened	No Change
Self-image	Improved	Worsened	No Change
Relationships	Improved	Worsened	No Change
Spiritual conceptions	Improved	Worsened	No Change
Your reactions	Improved	Worsened	No Change
Relationships:
Spouse/Significant Other	Improved	Worsened	No Change
Parent	Improved	Worsened	No Change
Children	Improved	Worsened	No Change
Siblings	Improved	Worsened	No Change

13.

Did you discuss your cancer with anyone?	Yes	No
Do you express your feelings about cancer through your belly dancing?	Yes	No
Is your belly dancing healing?	Yes	No
Is your belly dancing a religious expression?	Yes	No

14. Western medicine believes that everyone has cancer cells within and that stress releases those cancerous cells. What are your thoughts?

16. If you have further thoughts or comments, please enter them here:

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