Vancouver punk rocker and breast cancer survivor Bif Naked gave a different kind of performance on Saturday, delivering a motivational pep-talk at the BC Cancer Agency's community forum.
The free event, organized for cancer patients and their loved ones, had presentations on topics from nutrition to complimentary therapies -- and ended with Naked recounting her own survival story.
Naked was 36 when she was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2007, just weeks after her wedding to Vancouver Sun sports writer Ian Walker.
"I guess you're never really prepared for a cancer diagnosis," she told CTV News at the Westin Bayshore hotel. "I was a vegan for a long time, I was health conscious. It was a bit of a surprise to say the least."
She put her music career on hold as doctors aggressively treated her condition. She endured a lumpectomy and 13 months of chemotherapy and radiation.
"You anticipate losing your hair, that's not an issue. For me, it was not how I self-identified so I didn't find it a big deal," she said. "Losing my eyelashes was something I hadn't anticipated."
But her treatment worked; Naked is now cancer-free. She went back to performing, and took on the challenge of motivational speaking as a featured guest at Saturday's forum.
Dr. Frances Wong of the BC Cancer Agency said Naked was asked to appear because her story helps to demystify the treatment process and raise awareness.
"She takes the scare out of people and reminds people the importance of being aware of your body," Wong said. "It really helps the entire community."
Naked said her main message for women young and old is to "feel your boobs, basically."
"Just by accident did I ever find the lump in my breast. It was a complete fluke," she said.
Naked has a Grey Cup performance scheduled for Sunday outside Edmonton's Commonwealth Stadium.
With a report from CTV British Columbia's Shannon Paterson
