An Auckland breast cancer survivor is urging other women who’ve been through breast cancer to join her and bare all in an effort to demystify mastectomy and breast reconstruction.
Friend of BCAC, Nic Russell, has posted pictures of herself topless online in order to celebrate the gift of life that comes from the decision to have a mastectomy.
Nic was diagnosed at the age of 31 and had a double mastectomy, chemotherapy and radiation therapy at the same time as her two-year-old daughter was fighting cancer.
Nic’s daughter sadly died, but when Nic turned 40 this year, she chose to celebrate by having these powerful images taken of herself topless.
“These pictures are a celebration of a body after cancer, mastectomy and reconstruction. Too often when you look for images of a mastectomy or reconstructed breasts you see a clinical and stark headless image.
“I wanted to show that my breasts are not horrific, they are beautiful. And I wanted women to know that their scars are well-earned and they tell a story. We are such a body-conscious society but our bodies give us the gift of life and I wanted to celebrate that,” Nic says.
Nic’s actions prompted swift action from Facebook, which took down the full-frontal pictures of Nic because they were deemed objectionable.
Says Nic: “That just shows why we need to change the conversation around mastectomy and breast reconstruction. It galls me that Facebook took down those pictures, when I have seen so many images and stories on Facebook which treat women in a derogatory and objectionable way. It’s a sad indictment on our society.”
BCAC chair, Libby Burgess, agrees. “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.
Nic says she now wants to hear from other women who’ve been through breast cancer and had a mastectomy. She’d like them to join with her and have their photos taken to celebrate the gift of life after breast cancer.
“It’s actually very empowering getting your kit off! And I really want other women who’ve been through this experience to join me because I want to show the diversity of that experience – the different ages, shapes, ethnicities. It’s about your journey and your body tells that story and that’s something to be embraced.”
Nic hopes to gather a collection of images which will be displayed online and at a gallery showing next year. If you’d like to be involved or find out more about Nic’s project, email her or contact BCAC.
