Thought this was rather amazing. The SCAR Project.

[LimeSlice]

http://www.thescarproject.org/gallery/

Contains nudity. Will be distressing to some.

Breast Cancer is not a Pink Ribbon.

The SCAR Project is a series of large-scale portraits of young breast cancer survivors shot by fashion photographer David Jay. Primarily an awareness raising campaign, The SCAR Project puts a raw, unflinching face on early onset breast cancer while paying tribute to the courage and spirit of so many brave young women.

Dedicated to the more than 10,000 women under the age of 40 who will be diagnosed this year alone, The SCAR Project is an exercise in awareness, hope, reflection and healing. The mission is three-fold: raise public consciousness of early-onset breast cancer, raise funds for breast cancer research/outreach programs and help young survivors see their scars, faces, figures and experiences through a new, honest and ultimately empowering lens.

Breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths in young women ages 15-40. The SCAR Project participants range from ages 18 to 35, and represent this often overlooked group of young women living with breast cancer. They journey from across America – and the world – to be photographed for The SCAR Project. Nearly 100 so far. The youngest being 18 years old.

Although Jay began shooting The SCAR Project primarily as an awareness raising campaign, he was not prepared for something much more immediate . . . and beautiful: “For these young women, having their portrait taken seems to represent their personal victory over this terrifying disease. It helps them reclaim their femininity, their sexuality, identity and power after having been robbed of such an important part of it. Through these simple pictures, they seem to gain some acceptance of what has happened to them and the strength to move forward with pride."

[misty]

Thank you for sharing. It actually made me cry. Those women are so brave and amazing sharing themselves like that.

[Bumperstump Cummerbund]

Confronting and beautiful, thank you for sharing. Have you seen 'The Family Stone'? Diane Keaton had breast cancer in it, and there was a scene where she was laying in bed with her husband, and opened her blouse to him, and you can see her scar - I was so shocked, and it was all I could think about for weeks.

The pink ribbon kind of annoys me these days. I understand the need for awareness and fundraising, but I feel like it's been oversaturated.

[Arcadia]

Thanks for sharing. Does anyone know why most women also have small scar higher on their chest? It is about 3-5 cm long and is up nearer the collarbone...

[Maruschke]

Breast cancer is in my family and aunts and grandmothers have died from it... I will never feel like breast cancer awareness or research or charity will be over saturated. I understood already that surgery scars aren't beautiful pink dainty things but the ribbon wasn't trying to make it all pink frilly roses... the pink ribbon is just a symbol for the organisation, not an attempt to minimise scars. A bit confused.

The photos are very powerful though, thanks for sharing.

[HotI]

maybe a port from chemo?

[briggsy's girl]

Thanks for sharing. Does anyone know why most women also have small scar higher on their chest? It is about 3-5 cm long and is up nearer the collarbone...

Possibly for drainage tubes post operatively?
Will look at images later. Too hard on phone. Glad someone is drawing attention to the fact that breast cancer hits at younger ages.

[Floweryfields]

Thankyou, a touching reminder.

[LimeSlice]

Breast cancer is in my family and aunts and grandmothers have died from it... I will never feel like breast cancer awareness or research or charity will be over saturated. I understood already that surgery scars aren't beautiful pink dainty things but the ribbon wasn't trying to make it all pink frilly roses... the pink ribbon is just a symbol for the organisation, not an attempt to minimise scars. A bit confused.

The photos are very powerful though, thanks for sharing.

Have a look into Pink Washing, and you will understand the point.

[~ Zarava Flutterby ~]

Such strong, beautiful and powerful photos... i cried... thank you so much for sharing.
The pregnant lady got me most we take so much for granted our abilities to feed and nurture our children sometimes.

[Maruschke]

I know what pink washing is. But I think you detract from the raw power of the images when you try to attach an anti pink washing message to it. That site isn't about pink washing, it is about younger women and the reality of their bodies post surgery and post breast cancer.

[Glamoreyez]

That was amazing!! I cried, I smiled, I cheered! Those women are stunning..

[LimeSlice]

I know what pink washing is. But I think you detract from the raw power of the images when you try to attach an anti pink washing message to it. That site isn't about pink washing, it is about younger women and the reality of their bodies post surgery and post breast cancer.

Uh, yes, that site is exactly about pink washing. Have you read it? The tag line "Breast Cancer is not a pink ribbon" isn't my invention, it is his.
It is about putting a *real* face on breast cancer, not just glossing over it all with a big fat pink brush hoping we all don't look to closely or we might actually feel something.

[Maruschke]

I didn't find anything about pink washing on the site though? I just see powerful images. I see the tag line, but not the anti cosmetics (for example). Know what I mean? Even in the "mission" there was nothing about pink washing.

[Maruschke]

Might just be my perspective LS. Because we've seen so much breast cancer, it's never been glossed over for me, ever. I've already seen the scars and the chemo treatments and the lymph node testing, surgery site infections etc etc etc. None of it was ever glossy for me and my family, but we've still known about companies donating money to research and despite the pink washing, we are still incredibly grateful for anyone who donates money. Just appreciative for any cent that can stop this or help treat this.

My aunt had it twice before she turned 50, my grandmother twice in her 60's and had a double mastectomy very recently. I have seen her scars and her fake boobs she puts down her bra, watched her vomit as she came out of surgery. If you have never bought into the "glossed over" image of breast cancer in society, that site really is beautiful but nothing new, if you know what I mean? It is the reality I am already well aware of.

[LimeSlice]

Might just be my perspective LS. Because we've seen so much breast cancer, it's never been glossed over for me, ever. I've already seen the scars and the chemo treatments and the lymph node testing, surgery site infections etc etc etc. None of it was ever glossy for me and my family, but we've still known about companies donating money to research and despite the pink washing, we are still incredibly grateful for anyone who donates money. Just appreciative for any cent that can stop this or help treat this.

My aunt had it twice before she turned 50, my grandmother twice in her 60's and had a double mastectomy very recently. I have seen her scars and her fake boobs she puts down her bra, watched her vomit as she came out of surgery. If you have never bought into the "glossed over" image of breast cancer in society, that site really is beautiful but nothing new, if you know what I mean? It is the reality I am already well aware of.

And I suppose that is why I think it is so important to share these things, and promote *real* breast cancer awareness and action. While we have experienced it, not everybody has, which is the point I think. Pink Washing is more than cosmetic companies, it is about the whole culture of rose-coloured support (no pun intended). It isn't simply about being aware of corporate greed contributing to the problem in the first place, it is about promoting the truth about breast cancer without gimmicks.

[AnyDream]

Arcadia, it's the scar from the infusa port. It's a device that is inserted under the skin in your that is connected by a long flexible tube into one of the major veins in the chest. It is used to draw blood and infuse chemo because chemo can wreck the arm veins completely. Mine was a godsend, but I'm left with a very noticeable scar now.

BG, drain scars are usually smaller than a cm, and typically to the side or underneath the area where the breast was. Mine are barely noticeable.

[Shanti]

Such strong brave women.

Breast cancer is something I think about a lot as my mum had this and lost a breast but thankfully kept her life.

Yet another reason to keep breast feeding as long as possible.