Have you ever turned something deeply personal into something powerfully educational?
For her Personal Project, Erin chose to face a topic that is as medically complex as it is emotionally loaded: breast cancer. But for her, it wasn’t just an abstract theme from a textbook — it was personal.
“I have a significant family history of breast cancer,” Erin explains.
“That means it almost doubles the risk of me developing it in the future.”
Instead of feeling powerless, Erin decided to act. She turned her concern into knowledge — and her knowledge into a campaign. Her goal? To raise awareness among her peers, especially those who rarely think about this issue until it’s too late.
A dual approach: tactile and digital
Her project resulted in two powerful outcomes:
A 3D model, created through a mix of clay and 3D printing, showing the progression of breast cancer — from early stages to more advanced ones. This model helped visualize a disease that is often invisible in its early phases, offering a tangible way to understand what happens inside the body.
An Instagram campaign, featuring educational posts with clear language, essential facts, infographics, and tips for prevention and self-examination. Erin’s goal was to make information accessible and relatable, especially to teenagers — a group often excluded from conversations about cancer but just as capable of learning and helping raise awareness.
“Through my Instagram account, I reached many people,” she says.
“And I think already that is a great big step.”
Why this matters
Breast cancer is the most common cancer globally, with 1 in 8 women likely to develop it in their lifetime. In 2024 alone, over 2.3 million new cases were diagnosed worldwide. And while early detection significantly improves survival rates, many people — especially younger women — still lack access to clear, reliable information.
That’s where Erin’s project comes in. By translating medical research into understandable language and combining it with visual tools, she not only deepened her own understanding but gave others a chance to do the same.
Her campaign reminds us that awareness isn’t just about facts. It’s about empowering people to act — to ask questions, notice signs, support loved ones, and advocate for their health.
Knowledge is power — and prevention
Erin’s Personal Project reflects the core spirit of the IB: combining academic rigor with real-world relevance. It brought together research, media literacy, health education, and design thinking. But more than that, it carried a message: you don’t have to be a doctor to make a difference. You just have to care — and communicate.
Because when it comes to breast cancer, knowledge really can save lives.
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