What would cause a bilingual (Dutch-English) female medical oncologist born in the South American country of Suriname who summered with her cousins on the Caribbean island of Aruba to move to the chilly climes of Wisconsin and dye her hair hot pink? According to Dr. Nelida Sjak-Shie of ThedaCare Cancer Care, it all makes perfect sense. “ThedaCare was building a beautiful regional cancer center two years ago, and I came to be part of an idea, a model of care, that believes in community outreach and patient education,” she said, adding, “and I fell in love with a Wisconsin-based physician whose Dutch is very rudimentary.” Moving to Suriname, a country formerly colonized by Dutch-speaking Holland, was therefore out of the question.
You have to know something of Dr. Sjak-Shie’s history to understand why she dyes her hair hot pink for October, Breast Cancer Awareness Month. “Up until very recently, a diagnosis of cancer in Suriname meant death. Just five years ago, cancer treatment came to my country. The word cancer raises such fear, no one will even speak it,” she said.
Here in the U.S., with the availability of screenings, diagnostics, and treatment options—not to mention highly skilled physicians—Dr. Sjak-Shie sees no reason why women should fear or put off getting a mammogram. “In recent years, women have been sent mixed messages about whether or not to get screened every year. It made it easier to convince yourself that it’s not necessary,” she said. “Talk to your primary care doctor and make an informed decision. I tell women to follow the recommendations of the American Cancer Society because they come from people who are the most familiar with the world of cancer.”
Dr. Sjak-Shie’s own circle of family and friends has been touched by breast cancer, including an aunt, a cousin, and a close friend who also happens to be an oncology (cancer) nurse. “It’s an equal opportunity offender. One in eight women will get breast cancer. I want my family and friends and patients to catch it early and take time to make thoughtful personal decisions about treatment.”
And about that head of hot pink hair? “It’s definitely an attention-getter!” Dr. Dr. Sjak-Shie said, laughing at her propensity to stick out in a crowd. “I have dark wavy hair and Caucasian features, and now I have pink hair and I’m headed to China to explore my roots!” When she returns, Dr. Sjak-Shie will lead the ThedaCare Cancer Kickers team in the American Cancer Society’s Making Strides Walk on Oct. 22 at Fox Cities Stadium.
Because she’s a shout-out kind of person, Dr. Sjak-Shie sends a hearty salute to Salon Aura in Neenah who worked with her for more than two hours to achieve the pinkiest pink possible. “Everyone told me that’s where I should go this year. They did a great job!”
