One in eight women will develop breast cancer in her lifetime. A statement many have heard, but few have really paused to consider. The risk of breast cancer among young adult women is increasing every year. According to the American Cancer Society, breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in women worldwide, and also in Belgium. But what does this number mean for us personally?

It started on a random Sunday evening in 2024. In my dark room, nestled under my warm covers, I closed 12 tabs full of information about culture, music, and fashion. Thoughts played with my sleep, and my eyes shut every five seconds, a sign to put down my laptop, blanket over my head, and drift off to dreamland. I couldn't resist; my brain was in overdrive, and I had to finish everything. I wandered through the pins on Pinterest, saving outfits I would most likely never wear or recreate.

Why is talking about periods still considered taboo? Every month, millions of women and people across the gender spectrum experience menstruation. It’s a fundamental part of reproductive health, preparing the body for the possibility of pregnancy. Yet for generations, we've been shamed into silence.