More women have come forward to bare their breasts with fellow breast cancer survivor, Nic Russell, in an effort to demystify mastectomy and breast reconstruction.
A friend of BCAC, Nic Russell, recently posted pictures of herself topless online in order to celebrate the gift of life that comes from the decision to have a mastectomy.
She invited fellow breast cancer survivors to do the same and now three Auckland women have come forward and are having topless photos of themselves taken over the coming week. Another two women from elsewhere in New Zealand have also indicated that they want to participate.
Nic is thrilled that other women have chosen to join her and help to change the conversation around breast cancer, mastectomy and breast reconstruction.
“Too often when you look for images of a mastectomy or reconstructed breasts you see a clinical and stark headless image. I wanted women facing this decision to be able to see empowering and uplifting photos of women who've been through this experience.
"The response I've had to my photos has been huge and overwhelmingly positive. I'm so pleased these other women have now come forward to do the same thing because the decision they've made to have a mastectomy is a hard one, but it's given them something beautiful - life."
Nic says an art gallery in Auckland, Depot Artspace, has now agreed to run an exhibition of the photos in the new year.
BCAC chair, Libby Burgess, is pleased Nic's concept is taking off. “These are beautiful images designed to celebrate life and show women who are facing a decision about mastectomy that their bodies can and will be beautiful and strong afterwards.
“We at BCAC applaud Nic for her passion, courage and commitment in wanting to empower other women by showing them that a body after cancer is an incredible thing, not something to be hidden or to be ashamed of,” Libby says.
