The Deformed Woman with Hannah Haworth
Hannah Haworth was diagnosed with breast cancer at 41, and she carries both the Check2 and ATM genetic mutations. Hannah is an author of teen fiction and lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with her husband and daughter.
Subscribe and Listen On…
The Deformed Woman: A Narrative of Transformation
In our 2024 Body issue, we dive into the powerful narrative of “The Deformed Woman,” an exploration of identity, trauma, and the healing power of storytelling. In this episdoe of The Burn, we share insights from Hannah Haworth, the author, who opens up about her experience with breast cancer and the complex emotions that come with it.
The Therapy Experience: From In-Person to Zoom
Group therapy often feels like a rollercoaster ride of emotions — especially in a Zoom format. It strips away the comfort of physical presence, leaving us in our curated little squares, vulnerable yet somewhat shielded. In this space, Hannah encountered a fellow participant who embodied rage and despair over her diagnosis. This woman’s anger resonated deeply as she repeatedly described herself as “maimed” and “deformed.”
As Hannah listened, she felt a mix of empathy and discomfort. Having faced a similar battle herself, she found the woman’s perspective to be a stark contrast to her own. While the deformed woman viewed her scars as a sign of a life unworthy of living, Hannah recognized her journey as one of transformation. She realized that her scars represented survival, resilience, and a life lived fully — even with its imperfections.
Transforming Pain into Power
The raw emotions in the therapy session led Hannah to reflect on her own journey. Cancer had become part of her identity, but it didn’t define her. “I wasn’t deformed. No woman with or without breasts is,” she declares. Instead, she felt remade — a phoenix rising from the ashes of her diagnosis.
The struggle against cancer, she argues, is not just about physical survival; it's about embracing life in all its complexity. This perspective is what led her to share her story, hoping it would resonate with others who have faced similar battles.
Publishing this piece was both terrifying and liberating for Hannah. Writing about her experience with breast cancer was a departure from her usual work in fiction. This time, she was using her real name and sharing her truth. She expresses gratitude for the connections she’s formed since sharing her story, as others reached out to her with their own experiences and insights.
Hannah emphasizes the importance of normalizing conversations around cancer — shifting the focus from the clinical aspects to the psychological and emotional impacts of the disease. “These stories need to come out,” she urges. “This is our shared experience.”
Finding the Right Support
When asked about her experience with support groups, Hannah admits that her journey has been rocky. Initially, she felt out of place in traditional settings, particularly in groups filled with older women. However, she found solace in groups tailored to her specific experiences, particularly those focused on genetic mutations.
Despite her struggles, she highlights the necessity of finding the right community. “Sometimes you have to make your own space,” she advises. It’s essential to seek out groups that resonate with your unique experience, and for some, that may mean stepping outside conventional support systems.
Hannah's journey illustrates that even in the face of adversity, transformation is possible. By sharing her story, she not only claims her identity but also opens the door for others to find their voice. Her experience highlights the importance of community, the power of storytelling, and the beautiful complexity of living with illness.
Writing Prompt Inspired by Today’s Episode
Hannah’s experience has led her to see writing not just as an art form but as a profound tool for healing. She shared two of her favorite writing prompts:
“Are you happy?” - This question encourages deep introspection, allowing for exploration of emotions that may seem buried beneath the surface.
“Show me you or a character ordering a drink at Starbucks.” - This prompt invites writers to observe the nuances of human interaction, sparking creativity through mundane moments.
Set your timer for eight minutes. Write without stopping. See what needs to come out and where it will take you.
For more writing inspiration check out our free prompts and learn about our writing workshops.
Happy writing! Until next time, take good care.
More From The Burn
