Brave breast cancer survivors show off their mastectomy scars in powerful photo series
FOURTEEN women have bravely bared their mastectomy scars in a powerful photo campaign to raise awareness of breast cancer.
The photo series was released as part of the Stand Up To Cancer campaign and coincides with Breast Cancer Awareness Month this October.
Some of the incredible women featured in the project, called Mastectomy, are still undergoing treatment while others are in remission.
Photographer Ami Barwell, whose mum also battled breast cancer, said she wanted to show that "despite what they've been through, these women are empowered" and that they are "strong, happy and sexy".
Among those pictured is Gillian Trim, from London, who was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2015.
The 55-year-old had a double mastectomy.
She said: "I want to show those women who are going through their cancer journey that it is doable, not easy, but with time and acceptance you can get through it and that we are still sexy and beautiful.
"It’s also something I had wanted to have done, a picture to celebrate my journey and have a reminder as to how strong I proved myself to be."
Mel Johnston, from Merseyside, was diagnosed in 2014 and discovered her cancer had spread to her lymph nodes.
The 46-year-old underwent chemotherapy and surgery but last year her doctors discovered her breast cancer had spread to her lungs.
Mel's cancer is now incurable.
"I’m so proud to be part of this project," she said.
"Stand Up To Cancer is all about sticking two fingers up at cancer and I think Ami’s captured that beautifully.
"I wanted to be involved partly because, when it comes to new experiences, the word 'no' is no longer in my vocabulary.
"Since having cancer I want to embrace every opportunity that comes my way and really live life to the max.
"But I also want to demystify mastectomy scars.
"I’m still a woman and I wanted to show that breasts do not define my sexuality or gender.
"I’m still me despite having a part of my body missing."
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Joanna Reynolds, 46, from Newcastle upon Tyne, said: "Some women I know both personally and professionally have struggled with their body image following breast cancer surgery and treatment.
"I wanted to show that women can still celebrate their bodies after cancer."
Debbie Barron, 46, from York, said: "I never wore my prosthetics as they never felt right to me.
"I was on holiday with my family when I saw the photos for the first time.
"It was profoundly emotional. I’d been very worried that I wouldn't like the images; I rarely like photos of myself.
"For the first time since treatment, I felt feminine and attractive.
";Before I saw the images, I had been struggling to put on my swimming costume. However, the images gave me the boost I needed to see myself in a more positive light."
York-based photographer Ami's mum, Sue, was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 1993.
She underwent a mastectomy followed by radiotherapy and chemotherapy.
But the cancer returned in 2011 and had spread to her lymph nodes.
The 69-year-old was treated with chemotherapy again and is now in remission.
Ami, 39, said: "It was absolutely devastating when my mum was diagnosed with breast cancer.
"I wanted to shoot this project to raise awareness and show the defiance of women who remain equally as beautiful without breasts.
"Stand Up To Cancer is about bringing people together to rebel and rise up against cancer.
"The photographs show that, despite what they’ve been through, these women are empowered.
"They are strong, happy and sexy."
There were 55,200 cases of breast cancer diagnosed in the UK in 2014.
And there were 11,200 deaths from the disease.
In 2010-11, around 78 per cent of women in England and Wales survived their breast cancer for 10 years or more.
Rachel Carr, head of the Stand Up To Cancer campaign, said: "We’re honoured to share this incredible project showing truly inspirational women.
"And we’re grateful to all of them for being part of it.
"Ami’s powerful images perfectly capture their strength and defiance.
"We’ve made amazing progress against cancer over the past few decades, but we know that one in two people in the UK will receive a cancer diagnosis in their lifetime, so we can’t afford to slow down.
"We hope these images will inspire the nation to join the rebellion and help fund our ground-breaking research so that we can help save more lives, faster."
The campaign will run throughout October.
Cancer Research UK is encourage people to get involved and raise money through waxing or shaving their hair, baking or a gaming marathon.
For more information on the campaign or how to raise money visit
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