A bit controversial, but I see breast cancer adverts of women publicly showing their mastectomy chests?
Personally I don’t understand why you would do that? You’re still a woman and you wouldn’t parade around in public showing your breasts, so why show your mastectomy chest?
Only men can get away showing their chests in public. Women ordinarily can’t get in on the nudity.
Just my opinion but I don’t want to see that especially on tv.
As much as I don’t mind at all seeing others’ chests naked in public (Internet mostly, to be exact), I do not feel the urge to show mine. I still consider this area as one where my „virtual” breast is. But at the same time I understand that this is very personal - apparently for some it is important to show their mastectomy place. It might be a part of the process of coming to terms with the new looks, I suppose. People are different and that’s ok…
That’s fine about coming to terms with their experience, but it’s bad enough having to undress in front of strangers at the hospital, let alone on tv.
Whilst I wouldnt do it myself I am aware that it can be empowering for some. It also helped me to know what I might look like post mastectomy and to be less afraid. X
Hi @Concerned75
Well I wouldn’t expose my double mastectomy chest in public either, but I must say i rather admire those who feel able. It would certainly capture attention in a TV advert, and bring attention to such an important issue. I also admire women who go flat after a mastectomy, but I couldn’t do that either. I spent my life rather “flat” when i had breasts and now i rather like having a nice prosthetic 34C shape!!
As someone said, we are all different. It’s good to discuss issues though.
Eily
I think seeing some women’s mastectomy chests helps to normalise it. The first time I saw those ads I found it quite moving to see a woman showing her mastectomy chest. It seemed empowering to me.
I totally get that not everyone would feel comfortable doing that, and that’s fine. We’re all different.
I would also respectfully disagree that women don’t otherwise ever show their breasts/chests in public. Aside from topless sunbathing at the beach! – there are so many depictions of women’s naked or nearly naked breasts in films, TV shows, paintings, sculptures etc. Everybody knows what breasts look like. To me, having pictures out there of women with one or both breasts removed just helps extend the range of reference of what women’s chests can look like.
By saying “parading around in public” I meant literally just that. A woman would probably get in trouble for indecent exposure.
The examples of film etc…that you mentioned, are in content, but I get your point.
I think it also depends on your health experiences overall.
If you’ve had a lot of health issues and lots of intervention from doctors, nurses where you’ve had to keep getting undressed in front of strangers, it’s not your choice or ideal and a bit more of your dignity is being taken away each time, the last thing on your mind would be in front of a camera crew.
Oh absolutely, it’s not something anyone should do unless they actively want to and feel comfortable with it. And I can totally see that it’s the absolute last thing many people would wish to do.
I think that is the point- you are still a woman but without breast/s.
Breasts are so over sexualised in our society, I think it can only be a good thing to challenge people’s views. As you said men can “parade” around without a shirt, so now that woman doesn’t have breasts- she can do the same.
If it helps that person accept their new body shape & image- amazing. It’s a very strong message to everyone- women & men that our bodies alter as we age & sometimes not through choice like breast cancer!