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Other celebrities have been vocal about their decision to undergo the procedure, including Angelina Jolie, Julia Louis-Dreyfuss, Kathy Bates and Australian presenter Sally Obermeder.
Despite the fact that greater awareness is being spread about the realities of living with breast cancer, images of women celebrating their post-mastectomy bodies can still face censorship. In 2019, for example, Facebook banned a campaign by Breast Cancer Network Australia featuring topless survivors.
“Any woman proudly showing her mastectomy scars really moves the dial for representation and starts important conversations,” says Pilatti.
Kerri Filler, chief operations manager for Cancer Chicks, a nationwide support network for young women impacted by cancer or chronic illness, praises this visibility.
“Any education, any exposure, anything that makes it a little bit normal is the best thing. And the more we talk about it, the more the younger generation are aware,” she said.
“So anybody that’s happy to do a campaign like this I think is fantastic.”
National Breast Cancer Foundation CEO, Associate Professor Cleola Anderiesz, says that “as with most surgeries, scars from a mastectomy are common. Scars and other changes to the breasts are not something to be ashamed of and some women choose to share their scars as a personal symbol of strength, resilience and courage.”
“Sharing a breast cancer journey can help raise awareness of breast cancer and importance of medical research, funded by organisations like the National Breast Cancer Foundation, in improving outcomes for people at risk of, or diagnosed with breast cancer.”
For more support and information, call BCNA’s free helpline on 1800 500 258, visit www.bcna.org.au or nbcf.org.au.
